Medicine for nausea and stomach pain

Nausea may come with indigestion, a stomach infection, food poisoning, reflux, or irritation of the stomach lining. Pain can be cramping, burning, colicky, or fixed in one area, and those patterns guide treatment. A medicine that settles acid will not treat every cause, while an anti-nausea medicine may hide a worsening problem.

A pharmacist or clinician can check whether an antacid, alginate, or prescribed anti-sickness medicine is suitable. Avoid taking leftover antibiotics or combining several products with the same ingredient. Stomach pain with diarrhoea or vomiting can occur with gastroenteritis or food poisoning; persistent or localised pain may need assessment for conditions such as gallstones or gastritis.

Take small sips of water or oral rehydration fluid and choose light foods when you can tolerate them. Follow the label for any over-the-counter product, and tell the pharmacist about pregnancy, kidney or liver disease, ulcers, allergies, and regular medicines. Avoid alcohol and medicines such as ibuprofen unless a clinician says they are appropriate, because they can irritate the stomach.

Record when the pain began, where it is, whether vomiting or bowel changes occur, and what makes it better or worse. This helps distinguish a short-lived illness from a problem needing review, including reflux, coeliac disease, Crohn's disease, or diverticular disease.

Seek urgent medical help for severe or rapidly worsening pain, a hard or swollen abdomen, fainting, confusion, blood in vomit or stool, black stools, or repeated vomiting that prevents drinking. Prompt assessment is also needed with yellowing of the skin, chest pain, breathing difficulty, or pain focused in the lower right abdomen.

Arrange a medical review when symptoms keep returning, do not settle, cause weight loss, or begin after a new medicine. Children, older adults, and people with significant long-term conditions can become dehydrated quickly and may need earlier advice.

Ask what cause best fits the pain pattern, whether a medicine is safe with your current treatments, how long to try it, and which change should prompt a review.