Drowsy "drug" for long flight

[swedishchick]

Hi I'm slightly ashamed at even posting about this and it's not like I've made any decisions but just want to do some research...

We are flying to Europe with a baby (4 month old) AND a toddler who will be a month shy of two. A number of people have told me that there is a drug, I believe normally used as an antihistamine, that the doctor can subscribe that can make the child drowsy for the flight. I never thought I'd even contenplate something like it - but the thought of my very energetic girl, who very rarely sits still for more then a minute, and who struggles greatly to sleep anywhere else then in her bed means that I'm just looking at the option...

Wanted to see if anybody used this and if it worked? And also if anyone know the name so that I can research it properly? I thought it was something like furnugen or similar but googling that (and a few close variations) gives me nothing.

Should I even think about doing this - part of me thinks it's just wrong but then thinking of 19hrs of holding a kicking screaming toddler doesn't seem great either.

[ibb]

I think you might mean Phernergan. Its an antihistamine and i know people who have given it to babies and kids. I don't have any of my own so i don't know what the effects are but i use it as a allergy tablet and it makes me doze off quite fast.

[hayleysmummy]

I believe it is called phenergen

If you are contemplating medicating your son for no medical reason I dont believe you should go
Its wrong

[MimiGrace]

Hi

Don't feel bad for asking.
I don't know what its called (i'll ask my mum when i see her later today). But i used to be the toddler receiving it.
And all i can say is 'it is AWESOME'
i'm someone who struggles to fall asleep regardless of where i am, and on flights i get really hyped up (especially when i was little ) so when mum had to fly to germany with me (around 3 or 4) and my brother, under 1, she'd slip some into my orange juice

it tasted cool, and yeah, meant i didn't stay up for the full 36 hrs.

but i'll find out what she used for you and come back and let you know

ETA: she said it was a histamine (not an antihistamine), but she's not sure what it was called. it was something similar what they give to children before they are anesthetized. and she needed a prescription for it. and i'm pretty positive she tested it on me BEFORE we got on the plane, so that if i was going to react badly, she'd know and not use it when she was unable to get medical help. so i hope that helps

[Fuchsia!]

I believe it is called phenergen

If you are contemplating medicating your son for no medical reason I dont believe you should go
Its wrong

[Grace3]

I think its good that you have asked.

I don't believe in medicating kids for traveling.

I think you should speak to your family Dr for more advice.

[Jinglebells]

I think its phenegan(sp) your talking about

yip its a antihistamine(sp), and yes it can make some kids drowsy, it can also have the oposite effect, and make them hyper (one thing you don't want on a plane)

If you are going to use it, trial it before you take off, purely for the hyper reason, and also if the child has a reaction to it, and its best to chat to your GP first

it isn't really recommended to use it just for sedation reasons though

[Nowhere]

Phernergon is a stong anti histermine that does have sedation properties any thing else is on a script but any dr that handed it out so you could have a nice flight would likely be struck of and rightly so


Its not some thing that i would do but its your choice I would however say that if you must do this please done let on the plane the first time you do it , as both meds can cause respirtory distress and a plane is not a place you would like to be if your little one stops breathing properly KWIM

[samsausage]

Another point to consider with Phenergan is that it has quite the opposite effect on a certain percentage of the population. Rather than making you drowsy it can make you manic and hyperactive.

My son was given Phenergan post an allergic reaction and pinged off the walls for approximately 6 hours post administration, not something I'd want on a long haul flight.

My suggestions would be:

Portable DVD player - absolute godsend for us
Lots of activities, colouring, games etc
Plenty of snacks (not oo sugary for obvious reasons )

You'll be fine

[dangerpenguin]

I have travelled long haul with and without using Valergan (similar to Phenergan but I believe with less side effects) with my 18month old. Although I had the drugs on me during the first journey I didn't want to use them because I felt it was unfair on her. I changed my mind.
My first trip without drugs was horrific. Apart from it being a turbulent flight which meant she had to be stapped in, it was also full, which meant absolutely no room to move, grumpy inconsiderate people around us on a hot plane with useless flight attendants - my DD only managed about 8 hours sleep in 27hours and she's a good sleeping, laid back kid. Midway through the flight she was beside herself bored out of her mind (a full backpack of new toys and puzzles etc abandoned), wouldn't eat - couldn't sleep. It was like I was torturing her. When we finally arrived at our destination we had to travel by car for a further 2 hours and then she really hit the wall - totally inconsolable, cried and cried and cried. It was singularily the worst experience we've ever endured.
2nd trip, I administered Valergan to her just before boarding. She fell asleep during take off and slept for 9 hours. she ate and played happily at transfer and promptly fell asleep for a further 7 hours, awaking upon landing bright and happy.
The first trip took 10 days to recover from. The second took 3 days.
It was the right decision for her and therefore me.
6 months later I took a medium haul trip with her (and took the vallergan in case) but she was older and more able to cope and was happy to watch DVD's all the way.
In the UK you can buy a similar drug over the counter called medisleep.
I looked on it as a Plan B, and for us it worked. Goodluck.