Antinausea drugs are prescription medications used to prevent or reduce nausea--the queasy feeling that precedes vomiting. Doctors may prescribe antinausea medications for children who experience nausea associated with motion sickness, surgery and side effects of other medications or health problems. As with other medications, antinausea drugs may cause a range of adverse side effects and interactions with other medications.
Prochlorperazine
Prochlorperazine is an antipsychotic medication that, in addition to treating psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia, is used to treat severe nausea and vomiting in children and adults. Though children with severe nausea may take prochlorperazine, under physician's guidance, children under the age of 2 and those weighing less than 20 pounds should not take it, notes the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Prochlorperazine is available in tablet and suppository form, which children generally take twice per day, at similar times each day. While prochlorperazine may effectively reduce nausea in children, it also causes nausea and additional side effects in some cases.
Promethazine
Promethazine works by altering brain chemistry in order to block histamine; thus, it is often used to treat allergy symptoms such as itching, watery eyes and nasal congestion. It is also used to prevent and treat nausea associated with motion sickness, surgery and anesthesia. It can be taken two hours prior to travel, with effects that last up to eight hours, states the University of Maryland Medical Center. Since it may cause breathing problems in infants, children under age 2 should not take promethazine.
Cyclizine
Cyclizine, also called Marezine, is an antinausea medication for children and adults. According to the MayoClinic.com, cyclizine is used to prevent and treat nausea, vomiting and other symptoms of motion sickness. It may also be prescribed to treat nausea and dizziness caused by numerous medical conditions. Dosage varies, though dosage for children ages 6 to 12 generally involves 25 mg prior to travel, with repeated doses in six to eight hour increments, as needed. Dosage for children under age 6 varies and depends upon the child's body weight and the doctor's recommendation.
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