Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOTC Medicine for NauseaPrescription MedicineMedication for KidsDuring PregnancyWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
OTC Medicine for Nausea
Prescription Medicine
Medication for Kids
During Pregnancy
When to See a Provider
Nausea is an uncomfortable, queasy feeling in your stomach with or without the urge to vomit. The best medicine for nausea depends on the underlying cause. It may include over-the-counter (OTC) drugs like Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) and Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) or prescription medications like Zofran (ondansetron) and Bonine (meclizine).
Based on the diagnosed cause, your healthcare provider can help you decide whichantiemetic(anti-nausea drug) will work best for you.
Getty Images / m-gucci
There are several over-the-counter (OTC) drugs commonly used to treatnausea,each with its specific indications and actions. In addition to the brand name products, some generics may also come in tablet, capsule, chewable, gummy, or liquid formulations.
Bismuth Subsalicylate
Bismuth subsalicylate, sold under the brand names Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate, is an antacid and antidiarrheal drug that helps ease other gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea.
Antihistamines
Doing so can ease symptoms ofmotion sicknessandvertigo.
There are several OTC antihistamines available for such use, including:
Emetrol
Nauzene
Nauzene (sodium citrate dihydrate)is an OTC antacid that treats nausea related to an upset stomach and overeating/drinking.Consult a healthcare provider for accurate dosage before use in children.
Prescription Medicine for Nausea
Anticholinergics
Anticholinergics like scopolamine are effective for motion sickness and preventing nausea related to general anesthesia.
Dopamine Antagonists
Antipsychotics
Options include:
Phenergan is particularly useful because it is also classified as an antihistamine.
Selective Serotonin Receptor (5-HT3) Antagonists
The vagal nerve is linked to nausea in two ways: it responds to the disruption of nerves associated with balance, and to any toxin or condition that affects the motility of the gastrointestinal tract.
5-HT3 antagonists used for nausea include:
Zofran is also considered one of the more effective antiemetics for the treatment of severe stomach flu.
Other Prescription Drug Options
There are other prescription antiemetic drugs with different mechanisms of action that can be used to treat specific types of nausea:
Cannabinoids for Nausea
The FDA has also approved the use of three synthetic cannabinoids for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea:
Anti-Nausea Medication for Kids
Anti-nausea medications have a place in treatment for children, but it is best to speak to a healthcare provider before starting. Anti-nausea drugs have different age cut-offs, doses, and side effects, so it’s critical that the medication is appropriate and safe for the child’s specific age and health condition.
Over-the-counter options include:
Prescription options for children include:
Anti-Nausea Medication in Pregnancy
Nausea during pregnancy, or morning sickness, is treated using different techniques to reduce the symptoms and to make pregnancy more comfortable. Morning sickness is different in every person.
Mild to Moderate Morning Sickness
You can try the following methods to help relieve motion sickness symptoms:
Severe or Chronic Morning Sickness
In severe cases of morning sickness, consult your healthcare provider for medications safe in pregnancy. Commonly prescribed medications include:
Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting a new treatment during pregnancy.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
In mild cases, nausea should resolve on its own. The use of OTC medications can help prevent or treat nausea related to certain triggers, like motion sickness. In other cases, such as for nausea related to a medication or illness, you may need to get a prescription from a healthcare provider for the right treatment.
Summary
Nausea is a common and uncomfortable feeling. However, there are several OTC and prescription products available that are effective at preventing or treating nausea, depending on its cause.
If you know what’s causing your nausea, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider about which medicine will be most appropriate for you. You can also read the product labels for available OTC medicines to understand their uses better.
The author would like to recognize and thank Norma Ponce, PharmD, MHA for contributing to this article.
21 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine.Label: Pepto-Bismol—bismuth subsalicylate kit.Singh P, Yoon SS, Kuo B.Nausea: a review of pathophysiology and therapeutics.Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2016;9(1):98-112. doi:10.1177/1756283X15618131Athavale A, Athavale T, Roberts DM.Antiemetic drugs: what to prescribe and when.Aust Prescr. 2020;43(2):49-56. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2020.011DailyMed.Nauzene- sodium citrate tablet, chewable.Food and Drug Administration.Transderm Scop label.DailyMed.Label: Phenergan- promethazine HCL tablet.Hesketh PJ, Kris MG, Basch E, et al.Antiemetics: ASCO guideline update.J Clin Oncol. 2020;38(24):2782-2797. doi:10.1200/JCO.20.01296Hesketh PJ, Kris MG, Basch E, et al.Antiemetics: American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline update.J Clin Oncol. 2017;35(28):3240-3261. doi:10.1200/JCO.2017.74.4789Gan TJ, Belani KG, Bergese S, et al.Fourth Consensus Guidelines for the management of postoperative nausea and vomiting.Anesth Analg. 2020;131(2):411-448. doi:10.1213/ANE.0000000000004833Stith SS, Li X, Orozco J, et al.The effectiveness of common cannabis products for treatment of nausea.J Clin Gastroenterol.2022 Apr 1;56(4):331-338. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001534Food and Drug Administration.FDA and cannabis: research and drug approval process.DailyMed.Label: Dramamine for Kids- dimenhydrinate tablet, chewable.Benadryl.Benadryl (diphenhydramine HCI) dosing guide for adults & children.DailyMed.Label: Dramamine Less Drowsy- meclizine hydrochloride tablet.DailyMed.Label: Emetrol children mixed berry - phosphorated carbohydrate solution.Food and Drug Administration.Ondansetron (marketed as Zofran) information.DailyMed.Label: dexamethasone tablet.Committee on Practice Bulletins-Obstetrics.ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 189: nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.Obstet Gynecol. 2018;131(1):e15-e30. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002456Sridharan K, Sivaramakrishnan G.Interventions for treating nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: a network meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of randomized clinical trials.Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2018;11(11):1143-1150. doi:10.1080/17512433.2018.1530108Jayawardena R, Majeed S, Sooriyaarachchi P, Abeywarne U, Ranaweera P.The effects of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) supplementation in nausea and vomiting during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2023;308(4):1075-1084. doi:10.1007/s00404-023-06925-wMcParlin C, O’Donnell A, Robson SC, et al.Treatments for hyperemesis gravidarum and nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: a systematic review.JAMA. 2016;316(13):1392-1401. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.14337
21 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine.Label: Pepto-Bismol—bismuth subsalicylate kit.Singh P, Yoon SS, Kuo B.Nausea: a review of pathophysiology and therapeutics.Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2016;9(1):98-112. doi:10.1177/1756283X15618131Athavale A, Athavale T, Roberts DM.Antiemetic drugs: what to prescribe and when.Aust Prescr. 2020;43(2):49-56. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2020.011DailyMed.Nauzene- sodium citrate tablet, chewable.Food and Drug Administration.Transderm Scop label.DailyMed.Label: Phenergan- promethazine HCL tablet.Hesketh PJ, Kris MG, Basch E, et al.Antiemetics: ASCO guideline update.J Clin Oncol. 2020;38(24):2782-2797. doi:10.1200/JCO.20.01296Hesketh PJ, Kris MG, Basch E, et al.Antiemetics: American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline update.J Clin Oncol. 2017;35(28):3240-3261. doi:10.1200/JCO.2017.74.4789Gan TJ, Belani KG, Bergese S, et al.Fourth Consensus Guidelines for the management of postoperative nausea and vomiting.Anesth Analg. 2020;131(2):411-448. doi:10.1213/ANE.0000000000004833Stith SS, Li X, Orozco J, et al.The effectiveness of common cannabis products for treatment of nausea.J Clin Gastroenterol.2022 Apr 1;56(4):331-338. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001534Food and Drug Administration.FDA and cannabis: research and drug approval process.DailyMed.Label: Dramamine for Kids- dimenhydrinate tablet, chewable.Benadryl.Benadryl (diphenhydramine HCI) dosing guide for adults & children.DailyMed.Label: Dramamine Less Drowsy- meclizine hydrochloride tablet.DailyMed.Label: Emetrol children mixed berry - phosphorated carbohydrate solution.Food and Drug Administration.Ondansetron (marketed as Zofran) information.DailyMed.Label: dexamethasone tablet.Committee on Practice Bulletins-Obstetrics.ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 189: nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.Obstet Gynecol. 2018;131(1):e15-e30. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002456Sridharan K, Sivaramakrishnan G.Interventions for treating nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: a network meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of randomized clinical trials.Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2018;11(11):1143-1150. doi:10.1080/17512433.2018.1530108Jayawardena R, Majeed S, Sooriyaarachchi P, Abeywarne U, Ranaweera P.The effects of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) supplementation in nausea and vomiting during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2023;308(4):1075-1084. doi:10.1007/s00404-023-06925-wMcParlin C, O’Donnell A, Robson SC, et al.Treatments for hyperemesis gravidarum and nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: a systematic review.JAMA. 2016;316(13):1392-1401. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.14337
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Library of Medicine.Label: Pepto-Bismol—bismuth subsalicylate kit.Singh P, Yoon SS, Kuo B.Nausea: a review of pathophysiology and therapeutics.Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2016;9(1):98-112. doi:10.1177/1756283X15618131Athavale A, Athavale T, Roberts DM.Antiemetic drugs: what to prescribe and when.Aust Prescr. 2020;43(2):49-56. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2020.011DailyMed.Nauzene- sodium citrate tablet, chewable.Food and Drug Administration.Transderm Scop label.DailyMed.Label: Phenergan- promethazine HCL tablet.Hesketh PJ, Kris MG, Basch E, et al.Antiemetics: ASCO guideline update.J Clin Oncol. 2020;38(24):2782-2797. doi:10.1200/JCO.20.01296Hesketh PJ, Kris MG, Basch E, et al.Antiemetics: American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline update.J Clin Oncol. 2017;35(28):3240-3261. doi:10.1200/JCO.2017.74.4789Gan TJ, Belani KG, Bergese S, et al.Fourth Consensus Guidelines for the management of postoperative nausea and vomiting.Anesth Analg. 2020;131(2):411-448. doi:10.1213/ANE.0000000000004833Stith SS, Li X, Orozco J, et al.The effectiveness of common cannabis products for treatment of nausea.J Clin Gastroenterol.2022 Apr 1;56(4):331-338. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001534Food and Drug Administration.FDA and cannabis: research and drug approval process.DailyMed.Label: Dramamine for Kids- dimenhydrinate tablet, chewable.Benadryl.Benadryl (diphenhydramine HCI) dosing guide for adults & children.DailyMed.Label: Dramamine Less Drowsy- meclizine hydrochloride tablet.DailyMed.Label: Emetrol children mixed berry - phosphorated carbohydrate solution.Food and Drug Administration.Ondansetron (marketed as Zofran) information.DailyMed.Label: dexamethasone tablet.Committee on Practice Bulletins-Obstetrics.ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 189: nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.Obstet Gynecol. 2018;131(1):e15-e30. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002456Sridharan K, Sivaramakrishnan G.Interventions for treating nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: a network meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of randomized clinical trials.Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2018;11(11):1143-1150. doi:10.1080/17512433.2018.1530108Jayawardena R, Majeed S, Sooriyaarachchi P, Abeywarne U, Ranaweera P.The effects of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) supplementation in nausea and vomiting during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2023;308(4):1075-1084. doi:10.1007/s00404-023-06925-wMcParlin C, O’Donnell A, Robson SC, et al.Treatments for hyperemesis gravidarum and nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: a systematic review.JAMA. 2016;316(13):1392-1401. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.14337
National Library of Medicine.Label: Pepto-Bismol—bismuth subsalicylate kit.
Singh P, Yoon SS, Kuo B.Nausea: a review of pathophysiology and therapeutics.Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2016;9(1):98-112. doi:10.1177/1756283X15618131
Athavale A, Athavale T, Roberts DM.Antiemetic drugs: what to prescribe and when.Aust Prescr. 2020;43(2):49-56. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2020.011
DailyMed.Nauzene- sodium citrate tablet, chewable.
Food and Drug Administration.Transderm Scop label.
DailyMed.Label: Phenergan- promethazine HCL tablet.
Hesketh PJ, Kris MG, Basch E, et al.Antiemetics: ASCO guideline update.J Clin Oncol. 2020;38(24):2782-2797. doi:10.1200/JCO.20.01296
Hesketh PJ, Kris MG, Basch E, et al.Antiemetics: American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline update.J Clin Oncol. 2017;35(28):3240-3261. doi:10.1200/JCO.2017.74.4789
Gan TJ, Belani KG, Bergese S, et al.Fourth Consensus Guidelines for the management of postoperative nausea and vomiting.Anesth Analg. 2020;131(2):411-448. doi:10.1213/ANE.0000000000004833
Stith SS, Li X, Orozco J, et al.The effectiveness of common cannabis products for treatment of nausea.J Clin Gastroenterol.2022 Apr 1;56(4):331-338. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001534
Food and Drug Administration.FDA and cannabis: research and drug approval process.
DailyMed.Label: Dramamine for Kids- dimenhydrinate tablet, chewable.
Benadryl.Benadryl (diphenhydramine HCI) dosing guide for adults & children.
DailyMed.Label: Dramamine Less Drowsy- meclizine hydrochloride tablet.
DailyMed.Label: Emetrol children mixed berry - phosphorated carbohydrate solution.
Food and Drug Administration.Ondansetron (marketed as Zofran) information.
DailyMed.Label: dexamethasone tablet.
Committee on Practice Bulletins-Obstetrics.ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 189: nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.Obstet Gynecol. 2018;131(1):e15-e30. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002456
Sridharan K, Sivaramakrishnan G.Interventions for treating nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: a network meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of randomized clinical trials.Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2018;11(11):1143-1150. doi:10.1080/17512433.2018.1530108
Jayawardena R, Majeed S, Sooriyaarachchi P, Abeywarne U, Ranaweera P.The effects of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) supplementation in nausea and vomiting during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2023;308(4):1075-1084. doi:10.1007/s00404-023-06925-w
McParlin C, O’Donnell A, Robson SC, et al.Treatments for hyperemesis gravidarum and nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: a systematic review.JAMA. 2016;316(13):1392-1401. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.14337
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