June 26, 2023 Michelle Schmanski

Nausea Medication: Does it Work?

Nausea is a symptom everyone dreads experiencing. Although annoying, nausea is not usually caused by anything serious but is typically a symptom of another problem like pregnancy, motion sickness, or a stomach bug. Whatever the cause, nausea is an unsettled feeling in your stomach that makes you feel like you may vomit.

The good news is you can try several over-the-counter and prescription medications to get rid of your nausea. Keep reading for everything you need to know about nausea medication!

What is Nausea Medication?

Anti-nausea or anti-emetic medications are used to help reduce the feeling of nausea and help prevent vomiting. There are a few types of nausea medications, and each type works differently. Depending on the cause of your nausea, your doctor will recommend a medication that will work best for you.

Over-The-Counter Nausea Medications

Several over-the-counter medications are available to help treat nausea at home without seeing a doctor. Some of the over-the-counter medications you can try include:

• Pepto-Bismol: Pepto-Bismol is an over-the-counter medication commonly used for nausea caused by stomach flu, indigestion, or other food-related illnesses. Pepto-Bismol works by protecting the stomach lining, which reduces nausea.
• Dramamine: If you are experiencing nausea from motion sickness, Dramamine is an over-the-counter antihistamine that reduces the inner ears’ ability to sense motion changes and works best if taken before nausea and vomiting occur.
• Meclizine: Meclizine is another over-the-counter medication used to treat nausea associated with motion sickness. It works similarly to Dramamine by blocking the signals in the brain that cause nausea and vomiting.

Prescription Nausea Medications

If over-the-counter medications aren’t stopping your nausea, your doctor may prescribe something stronger. Some of the most commonly used types of prescription medications for nausea and vomiting include:

• Serotonin (5-HT3) Antagonists: The medications in this group include ondansetron, granisetron, dolasetron, and palonosetron. These medications block serotonin, a substance that commonly triggers nausea and vomiting.
• NK-1 Receptor Antagonists: This class of medication blocks the effects of the NK-1 receptor, which is a part of the vomiting reflex. These medications are usually given with other anti-nausea medicines. Medications include aprepitant, rolapitant, and fosaprepitant.
• Dopamine Antagonists: These medications include metoclopramide and prochlorperazine, and they work by preventing dopamine from binding to areas in the brain that cause nausea and vomiting.

Natural Nausea Remedies

If you’re interested in taking an at-home approach to relieve your nausea, several natural remedies have proven beneficial in reducing nausea. Some natural things you can do to prevent nausea include:

• Eating ginger
• Peppermint or lemon aromatherapy
• Vitamin B6 supplements

When To See Your Doctor

If you are experiencing nausea and vomiting, there are a variety of medications and natural remedies that may help you feel better. If you have tried over-the-counter medications or are struggling with intense, long-term nausea and vomiting, your doctor can recommend a medication best suited for the type of nausea you are experiencing.

Talk with your doctor today to see what medications may be right for you!

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Related:

• Nausea After Eating: What You Should Know
• Stomach Pain: When Is It Serious?
• 15 Common Causes of Stomach Pain