For most cases of vomiting, the best first step is small sips of clear fluids and an over-the-counter antiemetic like bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) or an antihistamine such as meclizine or dimenhydrinate. If vomiting is severe or lasts more than a day or two, a prescription medication may be needed. What works best depends on the cause, your age, and how long it’s been going on.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Two main categories of OTC drugs can help with vomiting. The first is bismuth subsalicylate, the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate. It coats the stomach lining and reduces inflammation in the digestive tract. It works well for vomiting caused by food poisoning, stomach bugs, or general stomach upset.
The second category is antihistamines, which are especially useful when nausea and vomiting come from motion sickness or inner-ear problems. Meclizine (sold as Bonine or Dramamine Less Drowsy) blocks signals to the brain that trigger nausea and vomiting. The standard adult dose is 25 to 50 mg taken about an hour before travel, with no more than one dose per 24 hours. Dimenhydrinate (original Dramamine) works similarly but tends to cause more drowsiness. Both are available without a prescription.
Phosphorated carbohydrate solutions, such as Emetrol, are another OTC option. These are sugar-based liquids that calm the stomach muscle contractions responsible for vomiting. They can be helpful for mild nausea but are generally less effective than bismuth subsalicylate or antihistamines for active vomiting.
When You Need a Prescription
If OTC options aren’t cutting it, or if you’re vomiting from chemotherapy, surgery, or a severe illness, your doctor may prescribe something stronger. Ondansetron (Zofran) is one of the most commonly prescribed antiemetics. It’s effective, doesn’t cause significant drowsiness, and is often used as a first-line treatment in emergency departments. It comes in tablets, dissolving films you place on the tongue (helpful when you can’t keep a pill down), and liquid form.
Promethazine (Phenergan) is another prescription option, though it causes considerably more sedation than ondansetron. That sedation can actually be a benefit if you’re so miserable that you just need to sleep through the worst of it, but it makes promethazine a poor choice when you need to stay alert. Your doctor will match the medication to your situation.
Ginger: The Best-Studied Natural Option
Ginger has genuine clinical evidence behind it, particularly for pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting. In studies reviewed by the American Academy of Family Physicians, daily doses of 975 to 1,500 mg of ginger (divided into three or four doses throughout the day) reduced nausea effectively. A common approach is 250 mg of powdered ginger capsules four times a day, or 500 mg twice daily.
You can also use ginger tea, ginger chews, or flat ginger ale, though these deliver less consistent doses than capsules. Ginger is generally safe for most people, including during pregnancy, though it’s worth checking with your provider if you take blood-thinning medications since ginger has mild anticoagulant properties.
Fluids and Rehydration
Replacing lost fluids is just as important as stopping the vomiting itself. Dehydration is the main risk from prolonged vomiting, and it can develop quickly, especially in children and older adults. The key is to sip, not gulp. Taking large amounts of liquid at once can trigger another round of vomiting. Start with a teaspoon or tablespoon every few minutes and gradually increase as your stomach tolerates it.
Water is fine for short episodes, but if vomiting lasts more than a few hours, you’re losing electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride) that plain water doesn’t replace. For children, Pedialyte is the best choice because it contains the right balance of electrolytes, sugar, and salts to match what the body is losing. Sports drinks like Gatorade or Powerade are acceptable for kids over six and for adults, though they contain more sugar than ideal. Broth is another solid option that provides both fluid and sodium.
What to Eat After Vomiting Stops
You’ve probably heard of the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. It’s a fine starting point for the first day or two, but Harvard Health Publishing notes there’s no need to restrict yourself to just those four foods. A broader range of bland, easy-to-digest options actually helps your body recover faster by providing more nutrients.
Good choices include brothy soups, oatmeal, boiled potatoes, crackers, and unsweetened dry cereals. Once your stomach has settled (usually within 12 to 24 hours), start adding more nutritious foods: cooked squash, carrots, sweet potatoes without skin, avocado, skinless chicken or turkey, fish, and eggs. These are all gentle on the stomach while providing the protein and vitamins your body needs to bounce back. Avoid greasy, spicy, or heavily seasoned foods until you’ve had at least a full day without nausea.
Treating Vomiting in Children
Children require a more cautious approach. Never give a child OTC or prescription antiemetics unless they’ve been specifically prescribed by a pediatrician for that child and that illness. Bismuth subsalicylate products contain ingredients related to aspirin and should be avoided in children and teenagers due to the risk of a rare but serious condition called Reye’s syndrome.
For most childhood vomiting illnesses, the treatment is simple: keep them off solid food for the first 12 to 24 hours and offer frequent small sips of an electrolyte solution like Pedialyte. Liquids are less likely to trigger further vomiting than solid foods. Most cases resolve on their own within a day or two. If your child can’t keep even small sips of liquid down for several hours, or shows signs of dehydration (no tears when crying, dry mouth, no wet diapers for six or more hours), that warrants a call to the pediatrician.
Skip the Probiotics
Probiotics are widely marketed for gut health, but the evidence for using them during acute vomiting is weak. A large U.S. study of nearly 1,000 children tested Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (sold as Culturelle), which had the most prior evidence for effectiveness in gastroenteritis. Children who took the probiotic recovered at the same rate as those who took a placebo. Diarrhea lasted about two days in both groups, and the researchers found no benefit regardless of age, antibiotic use, or whether the illness was caused by a virus or bacteria. A similar Canadian study reached the same conclusion with a different probiotic. Save your money.
Red Flags That Need Emergency Care
Most vomiting is caused by a stomach virus, food poisoning, or something you ate that didn’t agree with you, and it passes within 24 to 48 hours. But certain symptoms alongside vomiting signal something more serious. Get emergency medical attention if vomiting happens after a head injury, or if you also have a severe headache with neck stiffness, light sensitivity, confusion, or unusual drowsiness. Vomiting blood, whether bright red or dark and resembling coffee grounds, requires immediate evaluation. The same goes for chest pain or shortness of breath alongside vomiting (which can signal a heart attack) or severe abdominal pain, particularly in the lower right side of your belly, which may indicate appendicitis.