Headaches and migraines often are accompanied with nausea and vomiting when the conditions are severe. Headaches and migraines may cause rigorous pain on one or both sides of the head, throbbing or pulsating sensation, and sensitivity to light and sound. Nausea and vomiting may occur before a headache or migraine occurs or during the episode. A variety of general and specific nausea and headache drugs treat the condition during a painful headache and migraine episode.
Triptans
According to MayoClinic.com, triptans often treat severe migraines and, in turn, relieve associated nausea symptoms. Examples of commonly prescribed triptans include rizatriptan, naratriptan and almotriptan. However, the medications may actually cause nausea in some patients as well as increased dizziness and muscle weakness. The "Consumer Reports" website Health.org reports that a single tablet of a migraine triptan ranges between $20 and 43, as of 2010. Triptans are also available in a nasal spray and injectable form if nausea remains extremely severe.
Nausea Medications
Patients who regularly suffer from nausea when a migraine or headache occurs may be prescribed additional anti-nausea drugs. Common drugs include metoclopramide and prochlorperazine, reports MayoClinic.com. The medications should be used on a short-term basis and are not recommended for regular or long-term use, recommends Drugs.com. Prochlorperazine is an additional medication often taken by those suffering from migraines, explains the National Migraine Association. The drug allows a person to rest comfortably. Other headache and migraine drugs then work more effectively because the risk of a patient vomiting the additional medications decreases, adds the association.
Home Care and Additional Treatment
Besides medications, a variety of home care methods may decrease nausea as well as relieve the headache. If nausea and vomiting are severe enough, a person may become dehydrated. Drinking small amounts of clear fluids or sucking on ice chips hydrates the patient. Lying down and resting in a dark, quiet room also gives a person relief from nausea symptoms. An ice pack or light pressure to the scalp may relax a person and eliminate both headache and nausea. Nausea or vomiting for lengthy episodes is not common. Medical attention should be obtained if a person has been vomiting for longer than 24 hours or if the headache or abdominal pain becomes too severe.
