Nausea medicine, like metoclopramide, ondansetron or dimenhydrinate, may be prescribed by your doctor to control the intensity and frequency of nausea, or prevent the onset of vomiting. These medications work in varying ways, and can exert action on the brain or the stomach to reduce nausea.
These medications can be taken for nausea caused by motion sickness, cancer treatment, food poisoning or other health conditions. Learn more about what causes nausea and why you may feel nauseous.
Treatment for nausea or vomiting should always be monitored by your doctor, and may depend on the underlying cause of nausea. Dosing for nausea medicine should be established by a doctor or pharmacist.
Medications to take for nausea
Nausea medications that your doctor may prescribe include:
1. Dimenhydrinate
Dimenhydrinate is an antiemetic that can be taken to prevent vomiting or nausea caused by pregnancy, travel, labyrinthitis or vertigo. It can also be prescribed to manage post-operative vomiting or nausea from radiation therapy.
This medicine works by blocking the effect of histamine in the body and reducing the production of acid in the stomach, which can help relieve nausea and vomiting.
Dimenhydrinate can be found in the form of 25 mg or 50 mg softgels, and can be used in adults or children over 6 years of age.
Dimenhydrinate can also be used in injection form, to be administered by a nurse or trained health care professional for use in a clinic or hospital setting.
2. Diphenhydramine
Diphenhydramine is indicated for the treatment of nausea, vomiting or vertigo caused by travel, as it works by blocking the action of histamine in the brain and reducing the production of acid in the stomach, responsible for the body's nausea and vomiting response.
Diphenhydramine is found in injection form, called Diphenidrin, to be applied directly into the muscle or vein, in hospitals.
3. Meclizine
Meclizine, like diphenhydramine, works by preventing the release of histamine, and can be prescribed to prevent or treat nausea or vomiting caused by pregnancy, labyrinthitis, Meniére's disease, travel or radiation therapy.
This medicine is found in the form of chewable tablets or simple tablets of 25 or 50 mg, and can be used by adults or children over 12 years of age.
4. Domperidone
Domperidone is a drug that accelerates gastric emptying and is indicated for nausea and vomiting caused by conditions related to delayed gastric emptying, like GERD or or esophagitis.
This medicine may also be prescribed for the treatment of nausea or vomiting caused by chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or nausea related to side effects of medicines for Parkinson's disease, such as levodopa or bromocriptine.
Domperidone acts by speeding-up bowel movements and accelerating gastric emptying, which can ensure that food moves quickly through the digestive tract and spends less time sitting in the stomach (which can lead to nausea)
This medicine can be found in the form of 10 mg tablets or 1 mg/mL syrup, and requires a prescription.
5. Metoclopramide
Metoclopramide is another drug that accelerates gastric emptying, It can be prescribed for the treatment or prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by surgery, metabolic diseases, infectious diseases, or due to side effects of medication or chemotherapy.
This medicine works by increasing contractions of the muscles along the digestive tract. This helps to speed-up gastric and intestinal emptying, helping to relieve nausea and vomiting. Its onset of action is approximately 30 to 60 minutes after taking it orally.
Metoclopramide can be found in the form of tablets, drops, oral solution, or injectable to administered in a clinic or hospital setting.
6. Ondansetron
Ondansetron along with palonosetron, granisetron or dolasetron are antiemetics that are categorized into the serotonin receptor blocker class. They are prescribed for the prevention or treatment of nausea or vomiting caused by chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery.
These medications work by blocking the effect of serotonin, a type of neurotransmitter that can travel to the brain and gastrointestinal system and induce nausea or vomiting.
7. Scopolamine
Scopolamine is an anticholinergic indicated for motion sickness, nausea and vomiting caused by surgery.
This medicine works by reducing stomach contractions or spasms, reducing or preventing nausea.
Scopolamine should be used as prescribed by a doctor, and should be avoided by children, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and people with glaucoma. Furthermore, this medication can cause side effects such as dry mouth, dizziness, drop in blood pressure, heart palpitations, or urinary retention.
Natural home remedies
Some home remedies for nausea or vomiting, like ginger tea or chamomile tea, contain antiemetic properties that can reduce nausea. These can also facilitate digestion and decrease stomach wall irritation. Natural remedies are safe to use as a complement to the treatment indicated by the doctor. Natural remedies are also recommended for the treatment of nausea during pregnancy.
Medication for children
Medications used to control vomiting in children should only be used if the vomiting is intense, or if a specific medication is prescribed. Common options are promethazine, metoclopramide and ondansetron. Dosing for these will depend on the child's age and weight. These medications should not be used in children under the age of 2.
It is important to maintain the hydration status of children who are vomiting. You should encourage the child to drink plenty of fluids, like tea, water or coconut water to prevent dehydration. You can also give the child saline solutions to replenish any lost electrolytes - these can be made at home or purchased at the pharmacy.
It is also important to consume a bland diet when experiencing episodes of vomiting. You should avoid fatty food and heavy meals. Good options are rice-based dishes and white meat like turkey or chicken, or cooked fish.
Vomiting during pregnancy
Medication to treat vomiting during pregnancy should be avoided as they can affect fetal development. The obstetrician, however, can recommend medications like vitamin B6 supplements when vomiting is very frequent. This is the case with hyperemesis gravidum, which can compromise the nutritional status of the woman and lead to dehydration.
It is important to avoid medications for vomiting when pregnant, unless they are prescribed by your obstetrician.
Some ways you can relieve nausea and vomiting during pregnancy are:
- Avoiding large meals
- Eating smaller amounts periodically every 2 to 3 hours
- Avoiding lying down after eating
- Avoiding spicy or fatty food
- Avoiding intense odors, like cigarette smoke and coffee
Treatment for vomiting can involve the use of vitamin supplements, adequate hydration and replenishing electrolytes.