Several options can help stop vomiting, ranging from over-the-counter medications like bismuth subsalicylate to ginger, acupressure, and simple dietary changes. What works best depends on why you’re throwing up in the first place. A stomach bug, motion sickness, pregnancy, and post-surgical nausea each respond to different remedies.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Bismuth subsalicylate (the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate) is the most widely available OTC option for nausea and vomiting tied to an upset stomach, food poisoning, or a stomach virus. The standard adult dose is two tablets or two tablespoonfuls of the liquid every 30 minutes to one hour as needed. Don’t exceed 16 tablespoonfuls of regular-strength liquid or 8 tablespoonfuls of the concentrated version in 24 hours. It coats the stomach lining and reduces irritation, which can calm the urge to vomit relatively quickly.
If you’re sensitive to aspirin-like compounds, skip bismuth subsalicylate. It’s chemically related to aspirin, so it’s not a good fit for anyone with an aspirin allergy, children recovering from a viral illness, or people on blood thinners.
Motion Sickness Remedies
When vomiting is triggered by travel or motion, antihistamine-based medications work well. Meclizine (sold as Bonine or Dramamine Less Drowsy) is taken at a dose of 25 to 50 mg about one hour before travel, with one additional dose allowed every 24 hours. Dimenhydrinate (original Dramamine) works similarly but tends to cause more drowsiness. Both are most effective when taken before nausea starts, so plan ahead if you know motion sickness is a problem for you.
Ginger
Ginger is one of the most studied natural remedies for nausea and vomiting. Most clinical research has used 250 mg to 1 g of powdered ginger root in capsule form, taken one to four times daily. You can also try ginger tea, ginger chews, or flat ginger ale (though many commercial ginger ales contain very little actual ginger).
Ginger is particularly well-supported for pregnancy-related nausea, where most studies used 250 mg four times daily. It’s also a reasonable first option for anyone who prefers to avoid medication or wants something they can grab quickly from a kitchen cabinet.
Acupressure at the Wrist
Pressing on a specific point on the inner wrist, known as PC6 or Neiguan, can reduce vomiting. A large Cochrane review covering over 5,000 participants found that stimulating this point reduced vomiting by about 40% compared to a sham treatment. When combined with anti-nausea medication, it cut vomiting rates even further. Side effects were minor and temporary, mostly limited to skin irritation at the pressure site.
To find the point, place three fingers across your inner wrist starting at the crease where your hand meets your arm. The spot is just below your index finger, between the two tendons. Press firmly with your thumb for two to three minutes. Sea-Band wristbands apply continuous pressure to this area and are sold at most pharmacies.
Pregnancy-Safe Options
If you’re pregnant, your options are more limited because many anti-nausea medications aren’t safe during pregnancy. The combination of vitamin B6 and doxylamine (an antihistamine) is the standard first-line treatment for morning sickness. It’s available as a prescription delayed-release tablet, with a typical starting dose of two tablets at bedtime. If symptoms persist the next day, the dose is gradually increased over several days, up to a maximum of four tablets spread throughout the day.
Ginger at 250 mg four times daily is also considered safe in pregnancy and can be tried before or alongside the B6-doxylamine combination. Talk with your OB provider before starting anything new during pregnancy, but these two options have strong safety data behind them.
Prescription Anti-Nausea Medication
When OTC options and home remedies aren’t enough, doctors can prescribe stronger anti-nausea drugs. Ondansetron is one of the most commonly prescribed. It works by blocking serotonin, a chemical your body releases that triggers the vomiting reflex. It was originally developed for chemotherapy-induced nausea but is now widely used for severe stomach viruses, post-surgical vomiting, and other causes. If you’ve been vomiting for hours and can’t keep anything down, this is the type of medication an urgent care or ER visit would likely provide.
What to Eat and Drink While Recovering
You’ve probably heard of the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. It’s fine for the first day or two, but Harvard Health notes there’s no need to restrict yourself to only those four foods. Brothy soups, oatmeal, boiled potatoes, crackers, and unsweetened dry cereals are equally gentle on the stomach and provide more variety.
Once the vomiting slows down, start adding foods with more nutritional value: cooked squash, carrots, sweet potatoes without the skin, avocado, skinless chicken or turkey, fish, and eggs. These are still bland and easy to digest but deliver the protein and nutrients your body needs to recover.
Staying hydrated matters more than eating. Take small sips of water, clear broth, or an oral rehydration solution rather than gulping large amounts at once. Large volumes of liquid can trigger another round of vomiting. Ice chips are a good starting point if even sips feel like too much.
Signs That Need Medical Attention
Most vomiting from a stomach bug or food poisoning resolves within 24 to 48 hours. But some situations require professional help. Get medical care if you:
- Can’t keep down any fluids for more than several hours
- Notice blood in your vomit or black, tarry stool
- Have a fever of 102°F or higher
- Feel unusually confused, dizzy, or excessively sleepy
- Have had diarrhea alongside the vomiting for 24 hours or more
These can signal dehydration that’s progressed beyond what you can fix at home, or an underlying cause that needs more than symptom relief.