Nausea is the sensation of having an urge to vomit. According to the National Institutes of Health, nausea is not a disease but a symptom of many conditions such stomach flu and motion sickness. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians website FamilyDoctor.org, drugs used to treat nausea are known as antiemetic drugs
Over-The-Counter Antiemetic Drugs
Over-the-counter drugs are medications patients can buy without a prescription. According to FamilyDoctor.org, patients can obtain medications such as Pepto-Bismol, Dramamine and Meclizine without a prescription to treat mild nausea. Pepto Bismol belongs to a class of drugs known as salicylicate and relief's nausea by protecting the lining of the stomach. Pepto Bismol causes common side effects such as darkened stool, darkened tongue, constipation and tinnitus. Patients with allergies to aspirin and salicylates products should avoid Pepto-Bismol. Parents should avoid administering Pepto-Bismol to children with chicken pox and flu as this could cause Reye's syndrome. Dramamine and Meclizine antihistamines drugs treat nausea associated with motion sickness. Antihistamines help control motion sickness by influencing the part of the brain that controls nausea. The main side effects of these drugs include drowsiness, confusion and lack of coordination. Patients who are taking Dramamine and Meclizine should be careful while driving or operating machinery because the antihistamines cause drowsiness.
Phenergen for Severe Nausea
Phenergan belongs to a class of medications known as phenothiazines. Phenergen is available as a prescription to treat severe nausea. The National Cancer Institute, states that Phenergan treats severe nausea caused by anesthesia, radiation and chemotherapy. Common side effects of Phenergan include sedation, dizziness, blurred vision, dry mouth, urinary retention and constipation.
Zofran for Severe Nausea
Zofran also called ondansetron hydrochloride is only available as a prescription to treat severe nausea. The National Cancer Institute states that Zofran treats nausea caused by surgery and chemotherapy. Zofran is administered just before surgery or chemotherapy. Common side effects of Zofran include constipation, headache and drownsiness.
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