Sinus and sea sick medication..

[Bibendum]

Does anyone know of any issues/concerns with having to take sinus medication (like Sudafed) and motion sickness medication (like Bonine) at the same time while diving, or not diving for that matter? Any reactionary concerns with these two meds?

Thanks.

 

[DrSteve]

I'm not an MD but I regularly use Zyrtec, Nasonex, along with Advair (for mild asthma) and Bonnie as required, sometimes with additional decongestant on top of that! Never had an issue caused by the meds, plenty of problems with my ears though - which means I don't get to dive, but the more I dive, the less of those kinds of problems I have!

 

[Bibendum]

I'm not an MD but I regularly use Zyrtec, Nasonex, along with Advair (for mild asthma) and Bonnie as required, sometimes with additional decongestant on top of that! Never had an issue caused by the meds, plenty of problems with my ears though - which means I don't get to dive, but the more I dive, the less of those kinds of problems I have!

Thanks for the response. I looked through the DAN site to see if they had any advice on mixing these OTC meds. but couldn't find anything. Are there any other diver resources I can try?

 

[ScubaDadMiami]

You can also email DAN since the information is not otherwise on the web site.

 

[Kim]

I remember when I did my OW course years ago my instructor told me that you shouldn't use decongestants when you are diving. If I remember correctly it was to do with them losing effect UW and then the chance of congestion occuring which could cause all kinds of problems.
After I got my cert I did one more boat fun dive and the owner of the shop (as well as my instructor) both came along. Just before we hit the water I saw the owner using a nasal spray decongestant and I looked at my instructor with a quizzical expression. He just laughed and shrugged! I suppose I never really took that part of the lesson very seriously after that!

 

[the_cat_keeper]

My sinus problem can get quite bad so I sometimes end up taking zyrtec in the morning, polaramine at night and a nasal decongestant (flixonase) twice a day during the dives. At times, ventolin at night too.

I also get seasick sometimes and would take dramamine. The only problem is dramamine makes me sleepy all the time (except when underwater) so I sometimes skip the medicine (and just spend my boat rides "feeding the fish").

There were times when I was on both zyrtec and dramamine but I had never experienced any complication. Just sleepy.

 

[DrSteve]

My sinus problem can get quite bad so I sometimes end up taking zyrtec in the morning, polaramine at night and a nasal decongestant (flixonase) twice a day during the dives. At times, ventolin at night too.

I also get seasick sometimes and would take dramamine. The only problem is dramamine makes me sleepy all the time (except when underwater) so I sometimes skip the medicine (and just spend my boat rides "feeding the fish").

There were times when I was on both zyrtec and dramamine but I had never experienced any complication. Just sleepy.

Cats are so cool! They give you allergies as a way of showing their love for you and having you remember them even when you are not around to wait on them

Have you tried Bonnie for sea sickness?

Also, Advair (I can get the actual name for you if you need) is a *great* preventative asthma inhaler. Once a day and I've not had need to use my recuse inhaler, ventolin/albuterol for over a year.

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

I also get seasick sometimes and would take dramamine. The only problem is dramamine makes me sleepy all the time

Bonine is a real zonker for me too, I had Scopalomine suggested to me last weekend. Prescription pill but apparently no drowsiness side effect....

 

[DrSteve]

Bonine is a real zonker for me too, I had Scopalomine suggested to me last weekend. Prescription pill but apparently no drowsiness side effect....

Have you thought of trying it as a patch? Those people you see on dive boats with a band aid below their ear are getting the scopalamine that way. I'm not sure the pros and cons of each method.

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

No, the group that I was with had bad impressions of the patch. I didn't get a clear understanding of the drawbacks, just recall the emphasis on the pill's benefits (Take it on the dock, no drowsiness) and side effects (dry mouth).