Nausea is an uncomfortable feeling in the stomach that arises due to illness, chemotherapy treatments and certain medications. Sometimes, nausea can actually provoke vomiting, which can lead to dehydration and low potassium levels. There are specific prescription medications that treat nausea.
Chlorpromazine
Chlropromazine is an anti-nausea medication that can also be used to treat schizophrenia (a mental illness), mania and behavioral problems, says MedlinePlus. Specifically, chloropromazine is an antipsychotic medication that works to alter the chemicals (neurotransmitters) within the brain. It comes in tablet form, and you take it every four to six hours as needed.
Chlorpromazine's common side effects include agitation, nervousness, drowsiness, weight gain and trouble urinating. Chlorpromazine also causes trouble sleeping, an increased appetite, muscle stiffness, seizures and loss of vision. People with dementia should not take this drug, because it can lead to mood changes and increase risk of death.
Promethazine
Promethazine is another medication to treat nausea. The National Library of Medicine says that promethazine is also used to treat allergic rhinitis (hay fever), skin itchiness (uticaria), motion sickness and allergic reactions.
According to the National Library of Medicine, promethazine's side effects include dermatitis, high or low blood pressure, tremors, double vision and seizures. Promethazine can also cause low white blood cell counts (leukopenia), low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia), fainting and a slow or fast heartbeat. Leukopenia leads to infection, and thrombocytopenia results in easy bleeding or bruising. Also, do not use promethazine in children younger than 2, because this medication can lead to fatal respiratory depression.
The dose for promethazine is 12.5 to 20mg every four to six hours as needed.
Prochlorperazine
Prochlorperazine, like promethazine and chlorpromazine, is another anti-nausea drug. According to MedlinePlus, prochlorperazine is a conventional antipsychotic medication that reduces the abnormal activity in the brain.
Prochlorperazine's side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, drooling, constipation, nausea and a headache. Muscle stiffness, neck cramps, trouble breathing and throat tightness are other serious side effects of prochlorperazine.
This drug is a tablet or suppository that should be taken daily or otherwise as prescribed by a physician.
