Several over-the-counter medications, home remedies, and simple techniques can help stop vomiting or at least reduce how often it happens. The best option depends on what’s causing the nausea: a stomach bug, motion sickness, pregnancy, or something else entirely. Here’s what actually works, what to try first, and when vomiting needs medical attention.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Bismuth subsalicylate, the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate, is FDA-approved for nausea, upset stomach, and vomiting. It works by reducing inflammation in the stomach lining, slowing excess fluid secretion, and preventing bacteria from latching onto the gut wall. Adults can take 524 mg every 30 minutes to an hour as needed, up to about 4,200 mg in a day, for up to two days. It comes in liquid, chewable tablets, and caplets.
One important safety note: bismuth subsalicylate contains a compound closely related to aspirin. Because of the potential risk of Reye syndrome, a rare but serious condition, it should not be given to children or teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like illnesses. The American Academy of Pediatrics has flagged insufficient data to rule out that risk in children, so many pediatricians avoid recommending it for kids altogether.
For motion sickness or vertigo-related vomiting, antihistamines like meclizine (Bonine) and dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) are effective. These block signals traveling to the brain’s vomiting center. Meclizine is typically taken as 25 to 50 mg about an hour before travel, with one dose lasting a full 24 hours. These medications commonly cause drowsiness, so plan accordingly.
Prescription Options
If over-the-counter options aren’t enough, doctors often prescribe ondansetron (commonly known by the brand name Zofran). It’s a first-line treatment for nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. It works by blocking serotonin receptors in the part of the brain that triggers the vomiting reflex. Doctors also prescribe it off-label for severe morning sickness during pregnancy.
Ondansetron is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects are headache, fatigue, dry mouth, and constipation. It does carry a small risk of heart rhythm changes, which is why doctors may monitor patients who have heart conditions or electrolyte imbalances. If you’re vomiting frequently and can’t keep anything down, this is one of the most effective tools your doctor has, and it’s available as a tablet that dissolves on the tongue, which is helpful when swallowing pills feels impossible.
Ginger: The Best-Studied Natural Remedy
Ginger has more clinical evidence behind it than any other natural anti-nausea remedy. A systematic review of randomized trials found that taking 1 gram or less of ginger per day for more than four days reduced acute vomiting by 70% in people undergoing chemotherapy, compared to a placebo. That’s a meaningful effect from something you can buy at a grocery store.
The effective dose in studies ranged widely, from 160 mg to 15 grams per day, but around 1 gram daily appears to be the sweet spot for most people. You can get this from ginger capsules, ginger tea made with fresh root (about a half-inch slice steeped in hot water), or even ginger chews. Ginger ale, despite its reputation, usually contains very little actual ginger and won’t deliver the same benefit.
The Pressure Point Technique
Acupressure at a spot called P6 on the inner wrist has been studied extensively for nausea control, particularly after surgery. The point sits about three finger-widths above your wrist crease, right between the two tendons you can feel when you flex your hand toward you. Press firmly with your thumb for two to three minutes, or wear a commercial acupressure wristband (like Sea-Bands) that applies constant pressure to the spot on both wrists.
This won’t work as powerfully as medication, but it’s free, has no side effects, and can be combined with anything else on this list. It’s especially useful for mild nausea or situations where you can’t take medication right away.
What to Eat and Drink While Recovering
Staying hydrated matters more than eating when you’re actively vomiting. Take small sips of water, clear broth, or an oral rehydration solution (like Pedialyte or a similar product). These solutions contain a balanced ratio of sugar and sodium that helps your gut absorb fluid more efficiently than water alone. Avoid gulping large amounts at once, as that can trigger more vomiting. A few sips every five to ten minutes is a better pace.
You may have heard of the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) as the go-to recovery plan. Medical guidelines have actually moved away from this. The American Academy of Pediatrics no longer recommends a strict BRAT diet because it’s too low in protein, fat, and other nutrients your body needs to recover. Those foods are fine to include, but you should eat as normally as you can tolerate. Soft, bland foods like crackers, plain pasta, eggs, or soup are all reasonable choices. The goal is to return to a regular diet as soon as your stomach allows, because your body needs the fuel to heal.
Why You’re Vomiting Matters
Your brain has a dedicated vomiting control center that receives signals from multiple sources. The gut sends alerts through serotonin when it detects toxins or irritation (this is why food poisoning hits so hard). The inner ear sends signals during motion sickness. Certain medications, particularly opioid painkillers, activate dopamine receptors in the brain that trigger nausea directly. And hormonal changes during early pregnancy can activate several of these pathways at once.
This is why different remedies work for different situations. Antihistamines are excellent for motion sickness because they block inner-ear signals, but they won’t do much for food poisoning. Ginger and bismuth subsalicylate target gut-level inflammation and irritation. Ondansetron blocks serotonin signaling, making it effective across a wide range of causes. If one approach isn’t working, it may be worth trying a different one that targets a different pathway.
Signs That Vomiting Needs Emergency Care
Most vomiting resolves on its own within a day or two, but certain warning signs require immediate attention. Call 911 if vomiting is accompanied by chest pain, severe abdominal cramping, confusion, blurred vision, or a high fever with a stiff neck.
Get to an emergency room or urgent care if your vomit contains blood, looks like coffee grounds, or is bright green. These can signal internal bleeding or a bowel obstruction. You should also seek urgent care if you notice signs of dehydration: very dark urine, dizziness when standing, dry mouth, or not urinating for many hours.
For adults, vomiting that continues beyond two days warrants a doctor visit. For children under two, the threshold is 24 hours, and for infants, just 12 hours. Recurring bouts of nausea and vomiting lasting more than a month, or unexplained weight loss alongside vomiting, also need medical evaluation.