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Anti-Nausea/Vomiting Medications

Other names: Nausea; Stomach Upset; Upset Stomach; Vomiting

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Dec 1, 2023.

Anti-nausea and anti-vomiting medications are also known as anti-emetics. These drugs work by targeting the vomiting center in the brain, blocking signaling pathways, or inhibiting stimulation of the GI tract, diaphragm, or abdominal muscles.

There are several types of anti-nausea and vomiting drugs, including:

  • Dopamine receptor antagonists, such as prochlorperazine or metoclopramide. These are common and often target dopamine to help prevent it from binding to areas in the brain that trigger nausea and vomiting
  • H1 antihistamines or antimuscarinics, such as diphenhydramine, meclizine, or dimenhydrinate. These are effective for nausea and vomiting secondary to motion sickness and vertigo
  • Serotonin (5-HT3) antagonists, such as ondansetron, granisetron, dolasetron, or palonosetron. These are effective at controlling nausea and vomiting that has already started and work by blocking the effects of serotonin, a substance commonly associated with nausea and vomiting. They may be given before chemo and then for a few days afterward
  • NK-1 receptor antagonists, such as aprepitant, rolapitant, and fosaprepitant. These help with delayed nausea and vomiting and work by blocking the effects of the NK-1 receptor, which is part of the vomiting reflex. They’re often given in combination with other anti-nausea medicines.
  • Some steroids, such as dexamethasone, may be given with other anti-emetics for severe or anticipated nausea or vomiting in certain patients.
  • Benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam or alprazolam may also be used to help reduce anticipatory nausea and vomiting or nausea and vomiting caused by anxiety by helping the person feel more calm and relaxed. They are often used in combination with other anti-nausea drugs.
  • Cannabinoids (eg, dronabinol, nabilone) may be used to reduce nausea and vomiting caused by chemo when other anti-emetics don’t work. They can also be used to stimulate appetite.
  • Olanzapine may also be useful for some people at reducing nausea and vomiting, especially in combination with other anti-emetics, although it can cause drowsiness.

Many of these medications are also available in combination and can help with both acute and delayed nausea and vomiting.

Drugs used to treat Nausea/Vomiting

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
ondansetron 7.7 395 reviews for ondansetron to treat Nausea/Vomiting Rx B N
Generic name:
ondansetron systemic
Drug class:
5HT3 receptor antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
promethazine 8.3 174 reviews for promethazine to treat Nausea/Vomiting Rx C N X
Generic name:
promethazine systemic
Brand names:
Promethegan, Antinaus 50, Phenadoz
Drug class:
antihistamines, phenothiazine antiemetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
metoclopramide 3.5 181 reviews for metoclopramide to treat Nausea/Vomiting Rx B N X
Generic name:
metoclopramide systemic
Brand name:
Reglan
Drug class:
GI stimulants, miscellaneous antiemetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
prochlorperazine 3.3 335 reviews for prochlorperazine to treat Nausea/Vomiting Rx/OTC N N X
Generic name:
prochlorperazine systemic
Brand name:
Compro
Drug class:
phenothiazine antiemetics, phenothiazine antipsychotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
meclizine 9.1 15 reviews for meclizine to treat Nausea/Vomiting Rx/OTC B N X
Generic name:
meclizine systemic
Brand names:
Antivert, Bonine, Dramamine II, Dramamine Less Drowsy, Travel-Ease
Drug class:
anticholinergic antiemetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Ativan 7.5 16 reviews for Ativan to treat Nausea/Vomiting Rx D 4 X
Generic name:
lorazepam systemic
Drug class:
benzodiazepines, miscellaneous antiemetics, benzodiazepine anticonvulsants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Reglan 3.5 120 reviews for Reglan to treat Nausea/Vomiting Rx B N X
Generic name:
metoclopramide systemic
Drug class:
GI stimulants, miscellaneous antiemetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Antivert 9.0 2 reviews for Antivert to treat Nausea/Vomiting Rx/OTC B N X
Generic name:
meclizine systemic
Drug class:
anticholinergic antiemetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Dramamine 9.0 22 reviews for Dramamine to treat Nausea/Vomiting OTC B N X
Generic name:
dimenhydrinate systemic
Drug class:
anticholinergic antiemetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
lorazepam 8.4 36 reviews for lorazepam to treat Nausea/Vomiting Rx D 4 X
Generic name:
lorazepam systemic
Brand names:
Ativan, Lorazepam Intensol
Drug class:
benzodiazepines, miscellaneous antiemetics, benzodiazepine anticonvulsants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Benadryl 7.0 21 reviews for Benadryl to treat Nausea/Vomiting Rx/OTC B N X
Generic name:
diphenhydramine systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, antihistamines, anticholinergic antiemetics, anticholinergic antiparkinson agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
hydroxyzine 7.4 23 reviews for hydroxyzine to treat Nausea/Vomiting Rx N N X
Generic name:
hydroxyzine systemic
Brand name:
Vistaril
Drug class:
miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, antihistamines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Emetrol 8.4 49 reviews for Emetrol to treat Nausea/Vomiting OTC N N
Generic name:
phosphorated carbohydrate solution systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous antiemetics
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
Vistaril 9.2 6 reviews for Vistaril to treat Nausea/Vomiting Rx N N X
Generic name:
hydroxyzine systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, antihistamines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Lorazepam Intensol 10 1 review for Lorazepam Intensol to treat Nausea/Vomiting Rx D 4 X
Generic name:
lorazepam systemic
Drug class:
benzodiazepines, miscellaneous antiemetics, benzodiazepine anticonvulsants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Bonine 9.0 4 reviews for Bonine to treat Nausea/Vomiting Rx/OTC B N X
Generic name:
meclizine systemic
Drug class:
anticholinergic antiemetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
dimenhydrinate 9.1 28 reviews for dimenhydrinate to treat Nausea/Vomiting Rx/OTC B N X
Generic name:
dimenhydrinate systemic
Brand names:
Dramamine, Triptone, Dramamine for Kids, Driminate, Travel-Eze
Drug class:
anticholinergic antiemetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
diphenhydramine 7.6 37 reviews for diphenhydramine to treat Nausea/Vomiting Rx/OTC B N X
Generic name:
diphenhydramine systemic
Brand names:
Benadryl, Banophen, Benadryl Allergy, Dicopanol, Allermax, Benadryl Children's Allergy, Complete Allergy Relief, Diphedryl, Diphen, Diphenhist, Dormin, Dytuss, Siladryl Allergy, Silphen Cough, Twilite, Valu-Dryl
Drug class:
miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, antihistamines, anticholinergic antiemetics, anticholinergic antiparkinson agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
scopolamine 3.9 61 reviews for scopolamine to treat Nausea/Vomiting Rx C N X
Generic name:
scopolamine systemic
Brand name:
Transderm-Scop
Drug class:
anticholinergics/antispasmodics, anticholinergic antiemetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Promethegan 0.0 1 review for Promethegan to treat Nausea/Vomiting Rx C N X
Generic name:
promethazine systemic
Drug class:
antihistamines, phenothiazine antiemetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Vitamin B6 9.0 1 review for Vitamin B6 to treat Nausea/Vomiting Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
pyridoxine systemic
Drug class:
vitamins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Banophen Rate Add review Rx/OTC B N X
Generic name:
diphenhydramine systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, antihistamines, anticholinergic antiemetics, anticholinergic antiparkinson agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Benadryl Allergy Rate Add review Rx/OTC B N X
Generic name:
diphenhydramine systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, antihistamines, anticholinergic antiemetics, anticholinergic antiparkinson agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
dexamethasone Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
dexamethasone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Dicopanol Rate Add review Rx/OTC B N X
Generic name:
diphenhydramine systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, antihistamines, anticholinergic antiemetics, anticholinergic antiparkinson agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

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Topics under Nausea/Vomiting

Alternative treatments for Nausea/Vomiting

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Nausea/Vomiting. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However, there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Nausea/Vomiting.

Learn more about Nausea/Vomiting

Symptoms and treatments

Medicine.com guides (external)

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

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