What should you know about over the counter for nausea?

Nausea can occur with food poisoning, gastroenteritis, gastritis, acid reflux, gallstones, heat exhaustion, low blood sugar, or hepatitis A. The useful treatment depends on the cause, how long symptoms have lasted, and whether vomiting is present. Some anti-sickness medicines can cause drowsiness, constipation, blurred vision, or interactions with other medicines.

Nausea with diarrhoea or vomiting can lead to dehydration. Nausea after fatty food with upper abdominal pain, or nausea with fever and yellowing of the skin, needs more than symptom relief.

Take small, frequent sips of water or an oral rehydration drink, and pause briefly if drinking triggers vomiting. When you can eat, choose small portions of bland food and avoid alcohol, heavy meals, and strong smells. Rest somewhere cool if heat may be involved.

Ask a pharmacist before buying an anti-sickness product, particularly if pregnant, caring for a child, older, or taking medicines that cause drowsiness. Do not drive if a product makes you sleepy, and do not use someone else’s prescription medicine.

Seek urgent help for blood or coffee-ground material in vomit, severe or localised abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen, fainting, confusion, severe headache, chest pain, or inability to keep fluids down. Prompt review is needed for yellow skin or eyes, high fever, signs of dehydration, or nausea that keeps returning.

Ask which product is safe for your age and medicines, how to replace lost fluids, and whether the timing or associated pain points to reflux, infection, gallstones, or another cause.