What can you take for nausea relief? 28 nausea medications and remedies

What helps with nausea | Nausea medicine | Home remedies for nausea | When to see a doctor

We’ve all felt nauseated before, whether from getting car sick, eating something unpleasant, or taking medicine on an empty stomach. Nausea—the sensation of an upset stomach that can sometimes lead to vomiting—is not an enjoyable feeling. Thankfully, there are nausea medications and home remedies to relieve symptoms of nausea, even during pregnancy.

RELATED: How to treat nausea in pregnancy

How to get rid of nausea

“Nausea can be prompted by a wide variety of circumstances such as motion or sea sickness, certain medications, emotional distress, intense pain, food intolerances, drinking too much alcohol, overeating, and early pregnancy,” explains Sunitha Posina, MD, an NYC-based internist.

There are two primary ways to treat nausea: nausea medication and home remedies. Medications work in a variety of ways, depending on which drug you take. One way anti-nausea drugs work is by blocking the receptors that cause the sensation of nausea. Another way is to coat and calm the stomach. Some nausea medicines may also move food through the stomach faster.

Nausea medication 

Anti-nausea medications work in a variety of ways. One of the most popular over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for nausea, Pepto Bismol, contains an active ingredient called bismuth subsalicylate. “Bismuth subsalicylate works by protecting your stomach lining and reduces excess stomach acid to ease any discomfort,” Dr. Posina says. 

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Dramamine is an antiemetic, which means it prevents vomiting. It is used to prevent and treat nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness. It is also an antihistamine that works by blocking receptors in your gut that trigger nausea in the brain. “It may cause drowsiness, so opt for the non-drowsy formula if that is a concern,” Dr. Posina suggests. Many antihistamines are used as nausea medications as they are good at reducing the sensation of nausea from motion sickness.

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Emetrol, another popular OTC medication, works immediately by calming the stomach. Emetrol has fewer common side effects when compared to Dramamine. 

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We have created a list of the most popular prescription medications and OTC nausea medicines on the market. 

Home remedies for nausea relief

There are many popular home remedies you can try to help alleviate nausea. Here is a list of some of the most helpful home treatments.

Bland foods 

To help calm the stomach and relieve nausea symptoms, “consume clear fluids like water, Jell-O, or broth and gradually introduce bland food, like crackers or plain bread, as tolerated,” suggests Lili Barsky, MD, an LA-based hospitalist and urgent-care physician. “Avoid heavy, greasy, sweet, or spicy foods.” Eating bland foods is also helpful if you frequently experience heartburn. A bland diet is easy to digest and can help reduce stress on the GI tract. Eating smaller, frequent meals may help as well, aiding digestive health. 

RELATED: What to eat when you have the flu

Cannabinoids

One of the first discovered medical benefits of cannabis was nausea treatment. A recent study suggests that some cannabis products can relieve nausea within five minutes. In fact, over 96% of the study’s participants felt relief from nausea within an hour. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two cannabinoid receptor agonists for patients receiving chemotherapy to help alleviate nausea Marinol (dronabinol) and Cesamet (nabilone). In addition to their anti-nausea properties, cannabinoids can also stimulate a person’s appetite. CBD oil can be found as a natural solution for nausea as well.

Ginger

Ginger is one of the safest home remedies for nausea during pregnancy. Taking one gram of ginger each day is an effective way to control nausea and vomiting in pregnant women across multiple studies. Ginger was also shown to be effective in reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting. There are multiple ways to ingest ginger, including ginger tea. Most drugstores sell ginger capsules, but ginger candy is also an option. For children suffering from nausea, ginger ale is a popular drink to help with symptoms. 

Lemons 

Inhaling a lemon scent can significantly reduce nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. This can also help alleviate chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in some cases. A recent study showed that lemon aromatherapy reduced nausea and vomiting following chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. In another study, a lemon solution decreased tasting sensations in a chemotherapy patient, reducing anticipatory nausea and vomiting, which is nausea and vomiting caused by triggers (smell, taste, or sight). Lemon juice or water can aid in digestion as well.

Stay hydrated 

Becoming dehydrated can cause an unbalance of electrolytes, leading to nausea and vomiting. In one study, patients that received proper hydration before an operation had a significant reduction in postoperative nausea and vomiting. Proper hydration is important and can help alleviate nausea and vomiting symptoms. Vomiting can also increase the risk of dehydration, so it is important to rehydrate after vomiting. A sports drink or electrolyte liquid can help to quickly replenish hydration. However, caution should be taken when rehydrating after vomiting because it could potentially trigger more vomiting. 

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy will relieve symptoms of nausea quickly. Peppermint oil aromatherapy is effective against nausea. One study found that postoperative patients with nausea had their perception of nausea decreased by 50% when using peppermint oil aromatherapy. Lemon aromatherapy may have similar effects as peppermint oil, and both lemon and peppermint oil aromatherapy can even be used in combination. Cardamom aromas, which has had positive benefits on chemotherapy patients, and lavender essential oils have also been found to decrease nausea and vomiting. 

Acupressure

Acupressure is an alternative therapy. Similar to acupuncture, acupressure is done by applying pressure to specific points in the body. There are findings that acupressure can be useful in alleviating stomach issues. One study determined that acupressure in the wrist, either manually or with a wristband, was effective in reducing nausea and vomiting in children undergoing chemotherapy. Additionally, manual pressure on the wrist was found to be more effective than wearing a wristband. 

Apply a cool compress

Nausea or vomiting, especially in motion sickness, are often accompanied by a drop in a person’s temperature. A theory is that the body drops the temperature to allow it to stand a better chance of fighting against what is making it sick. To compensate, a person with motion sickness may feel uncomfortable and hot, even with a reduced temperature. This may further worsen the effects of nausea. Applying a cold compress can help reduce this discomfort and alleviate nausea symptoms.  

Vitamin B6

Taking vitamin B6 has been proven helpful for chemotherapy patients and pregnant women experiencing morning sickness. Vitamin B6 has been shown to reduce nausea and vomiting during pregnancy as effectively as chamomile and ginger. 

Herbal tea

Herbal tea is a nausea remedy because it can help soothe an upset stomach. Lemon, ginger, and peppermint teas are good options since these herbs are effective nausea remedies. These hot drinks will help settle an upset stomach.

Sit up to avoid crunching the stomach 

Lying down too soon after eating, usually within a few hours, can increase the risk of heartburn, which can increase the chances of vomiting. When feeling nauseous, it may be best to sit upright without crunching in order to not place unnecessary pressure on the stomach. 

Sleeping position

If nauseous, it may be best to sleep upright and on the side. If acid reflux is the main cause of nausea or vomiting, it is recommended to sleep on the left side. If vomiting has occurred, it is important to sleep on the side rather than the back. This is because lying on the back may increase the risk of choking on any vomiting that may occur while sleeping. 

Vomiting 

Sometimes the way to get over feeling nauseous is to vomit. In some situations, a person may only need to vomit once or twice to feel relief. This may be the case when it comes to food poisoning. However, this should not be forced unless necessary by a healthcare professional. Necessary reasons to force vomiting include ingesting poison or another emergency. There are many dangers of self-induced vomiting, so it is important to let vomiting occur naturally.

Controlled breathing

Controlled breathing can help alleviate stress and nausea. Breathing exercises have been found to decrease chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Slowly breathe in until your lungs are filled with air. Then, hold the air in for up to seven seconds (or as long as you can) and release the air very slowly for about eight seconds. It is important to be mindful of your body and limitations when doing this because there is a risk of hyperventilation if breathing exercises are done too rapidly. With practice, breathing exercises get easier. 

Cool air 

As mentioned previously, the body may feel unpleasantly warm when nauseous, especially with motion sickness. Cool or fresh air exposure may help reduce these uncomfortable nausea side effects. Opening a window or using a fan may help to circulate the air better.  

Is it nausea or something else? When to see a doctor

“Nausea may often have a benign cause but can also be a harbinger of something dangerous,” Dr. Barsky says. “If nausea persists, recurs, worsens, or is accompanied by other symptoms, one should consider seeking medical attention.”

If you have the following symptoms in addition to nausea, seek medical advice immediately:

• Chest pains
• Dehydration
• Severe abdominal cramping
• Blood in vomit
• Severe headache
• High fever
• Confusion
• Blurred vision or visual changes
• Dizziness 
• Weakness

The combination of these symptoms with nausea can be an indicator of a more serious condition, including kidney failure, meningitis, heart attack, intracranial pressure due to concussion or traumatic brain injuries, vestibular disorders, or carbon monoxide poisoning along with other toxin exposure.

Keep in mind that nausea is also a symptom of COVID-19. If you’re unsure what’s causing your nausea and if any of the following symptoms accompany it, it’s best to speak with your healthcare provider to rule out coronavirus:

• Cough
• Fever
• Chills
• Body aches
• Headache
• Lethargy or fatigue
• Loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Diarrhea

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