What should you know about OTC meds for nausea and upset stomach?

Nausea may accompany acid reflux, gastritis, gastroenteritis, food poisoning, gallstones, heat exhaustion or low blood sugar. The useful clues are timing, relation to meals, diarrhoea or vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, thirst, sweating and the medicines you take. Antacids or alginates may suit occasional reflux symptoms, while an anti-nausea product may cause drowsiness and may not address the cause. A new medicine should be checked for interactions, especially during pregnancy or with kidney, liver or heart disease.

Sip water regularly and take small, plain meals when tolerated. Avoid alcohol, heavy meals and foods that clearly trigger symptoms. Follow the product label, check active ingredients in combination remedies, and ask a pharmacist whether an antacid, reflux barrier or anti-nausea medicine fits your symptoms. Do not use someone else's prescription medicine or keep taking an OTC product when it is not helping. If vomiting or diarrhoea is present, focus on replacing fluids and salts and watch for dehydration.

Seek urgent help for severe or worsening abdominal pain, a rigid or swollen abdomen, blood in vomit or stool, black stool, fainting, confusion, chest pain or inability to keep fluids down. Get prompt advice for yellowing of the skin, repeated episodes, persistent fever, unexplained weight loss or symptoms after a suspected toxin. Food Poisoning, Gastroenteritis, Gallstones, Hepatitis A, Heat Exhaustion and Hypoglycaemia can overlap with nausea, so symptom relief should not delay assessment when warning signs appear.

Which product matches my pattern of symptoms? Could a regular medicine be causing nausea? How long is it reasonable to self-treat before arranging an examination?