Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome in Children

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.

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AMBULATORY CARE:

Cyclic vomiting syndrome

(CVS) is a condition that causes your child to vomit many times in a row for no known reason. Your child first has a sense that an episode is about to start. This is followed by nausea, and vomiting that can continue for hours to days. This may happen over and over for several days. Then your child has no nausea or vomiting for weeks or months before the cycle starts again.

Other signs and symptoms your child may have:

• Retching or heaving (vomiting but nothing comes out), or gagging
• Feeling dizzy or tired
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Abdominal pain, loss of appetite, or diarrhea
• Fever, chills, or sweating

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:

• Your child has sudden, severe pain in his or her chest and upper abdomen after hard vomiting or retching.

Seek care immediately if:

• You see blood in your child's vomit or bowel movements.
• Your child has swelling in his or her neck and chest.
• Your child is dizzy, cold, and thirsty, and his or her eyes and mouth are dry.
• Your child is urinating very little or not at all.
• Your child has muscle weakness, leg cramps, and trouble breathing.
• Your child's heart is beating much faster than usual.
• Your child continues to vomit for more than 48 hours.

Call your child's doctor if:

• Your child has frequent dry heaves (vomiting but nothing comes out).
• You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.

Treatment

may include medicines to prevent or stop migraine headaches. This may be given if your child has migraines or is at risk because of a family history of migraines. Your child may also be given medicine to reduce nausea.

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• amitriptyline
• sumatriptan
• nortriptyline
• zolmitriptan

Prevent or manage episodes:

• Help your child avoid triggers. Certain foods can trigger episodes, such as chocolate, cheese, and monosodium glutamate (MSG). Caffeine can also trigger an episode. Your child's healthcare provider or dietitian can help your child identify foods that trigger an episode. This will help your child avoid those triggers. Other triggers include too much exercise, motion sickness, or being in hot weather too long.
• Talk to school officials about what to expect. Your child may have an episode at school or daycare. It may help to talk to teachers, coaches, or other school officials. Explain your child's triggers and what happens during an episode. Depending on your child's age, you may be able to give information about how to handle an episode. Teachers or others who work with your child may be able to help him or her prevent an episode.
• Have your child eat smaller meals, more often. Your child should eat small amounts of food every 2 to 3 hours, even if he or she is not hungry. Food in your child's stomach may decrease his or her nausea.
• Encourage your child to drink more liquids as directed. Vomiting can lead to dehydration. It is important to drink more liquids to help replace lost body fluids. Ask your healthcare provider how much liquid your child needs to drink each day and which liquids are best. Your provider may recommend that your child drink an oral rehydration solution (ORS). An ORS contains water, salts, and sugar that are needed to replace the lost body fluids. Ask what kind of ORS to use, how much your child should drink, and where to get it.
• Help your child control stress. Stress or anxiety can trigger an episode. Help your child find ways to relax and manage stress. Create a sleep schedule for your child. Have your child go to sleep and wake up at the same times every day. Talk to your child's provider if your child has trouble sleeping.
• Talk to your adolescent about not using marijuana (cannabis). Repeated use of marijuana over a long period of time (chronic use) can cause episodes. This is called cannabis hyperemesis syndrome. Ask your adolescent's provider for information he or she wants to quit using marijuana and needs help quitting.

Follow up with your child's doctor as directed:

Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your child's visits.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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