OTC for nausea

August 6, 2010 12:23 PM

Sitting here at work and feeling really nauseated for some reason. Already tried Tums, didn't work. I'm going to run to the store and get something to take care of it so I can finally eat a late lunch. What's the best OTC for nausea?

Are there any specifically for nausea? Also, I should note that I had a really small but really rich slice of chocolate cake at like 9:30am, and it's the only thing I've eaten today (stupid). I've also drank lots of water which seems to be making me even more nauseated.

If I tried to force feed myself right now I'd probably gag. What are the best over the counter meds?

posted by windbox to Health & Fitness (23 answers total)

I'd grab an ice pack and put it on the back of your neck - that often really helps nausea, in my experience. Feel better!
posted by pointystick at 12:25 PM on August 6, 2010

If chocolate cake for breakfast is wrong, I don't want to be right!!!

No chance you can get any phenigren?

If not, I'd recommend ginger extract.
posted by TheBones at 12:27 PM on August 6, 2010 [3 favorites]

Seconding ginger (ginger ale usually does in a pinch, sipped slowly.) Has worked well for me with mild nausea a number of times.

Get a little fresh air too, if you can.
posted by ryanshepard at 12:30 PM on August 6, 2010

Regular Pepto works wonders for me. I feel a little sick if I haven't eaten in a while, too, and taking it easy with crackers and ginger ale usually helps me. Doesn't leave me all "tied-up" later, either. :D
posted by two lights above the sea at 12:31 PM on August 6, 2010

ginger

Dramamine. says motion sickness - but it works for regular nausea for me. Might make you drowsy.
posted by KogeLiz at 12:31 PM on August 6, 2010 [1 favorite]

Unless you are at risk of dehydration because of vomiting (which is obviously not the case) I think it is best to ride it out. Your stomach is telling you something. If you need to throw up--throw up. My guess is that this will pass in the next hour or so. The conventional OTC are Pepto Bismol (which may cause constipation) or a tablet for air/sea/travel sickness. Personally, I eat ginger snaps--or ginger in any reasonable form. Hope it passes quickly
posted by rmhsinc at 12:33 PM on August 6, 2010

Peppermint tea
posted by leahwrenn at 12:33 PM on August 6, 2010 [1 favorite]

I like to take a whole clove, lightly chomp on it, then stick it in a cheek. I suspect this works because it breaks the bad taste/nausea cycle.

Candied ginger or real ginger ale sometimes works for me, too.
posted by QIbHom at 12:33 PM on August 6, 2010

Pepto makes chewable tabs and regular swallow-with-water pills that are my go-to for nausea, particularly since I'm grossed out by the idea of the regular drinkable Pepto.
posted by emilyd22222 at 12:34 PM on August 6, 2010 [1 favorite]

Dramamine.
posted by SLC Mom at 12:45 PM on August 6, 2010

Did you take a multivitamin today? I've found that if I take one and didn't eat enough, I feel really sick to my stomach.

Otherwise: ginger ale. Try to get the real stuff.
posted by punchtothehead at 12:46 PM on August 6, 2010

Aren't you just low on salt? I mean, a chocolate cake at breakfast and then only water...
posted by Namlit at 12:46 PM on August 6, 2010

Ginger worked for me when Compazine, Reglan and Zofran didn't.

Ginger is what you want. I prefer it in tea form.
posted by geekchic at 12:47 PM on August 6, 2010

Nauzene Chewable Tablets are absolutely amazing. They work very fast and are better than the liquid, imo. I have used them to keep rotovirus vomiting at bay, even.
posted by Wossname at 12:54 PM on August 6, 2010 [2 favorites]

Dramamine is wicked-awesome for me, if you can get past the whole "in fifteen minutes I will fall asleep regardless of what is happening around me" thing.
posted by aramaic at 12:55 PM on August 6, 2010

Ginger. Also, Alka-Seltzer settles my stomach really well. I use the version that doesn't have aspirin in it.
posted by bedhead at 12:55 PM on August 6, 2010

Peppermint tea.
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 1:08 PM on August 6, 2010

Response by poster: Hey all. Ended up taking a majority of your suggestions and got this weird ginger gum, and some pepto tablets. I don't know if it's a psychological/placebo effect but it seems to have worked and now I'm eating food.

The ginger gum was freaking delicious by the way.
posted by windbox at 1:08 PM on August 6, 2010

Ginger ale, stirred so it's more or less flat, is good.

Essentially, dramamine = benadryl = OTC sleep aids = diphenhydramine.

Mostly I just wanted to offer a reminder that sometimes when you're feeling pukey it's because you ate something you ought to puke.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 1:22 PM on August 6, 2010

There's also a liquid called Emetrol for nausea (I know Walgreens also sells their own version). I've used it before when I couldn't risk the drowsiness of Dramamine or Bonine. It's OTC.
posted by MultiFaceted at 1:26 PM on August 6, 2010

For mild nausea I start with papaya pills (whole foods brand is tasty enough). Bad indigestion I need anything with ranitidine (ingredient in zantac). Alka seltzer for more extreme cases. Full-blown nausea I've only found two things worth using: ginger (the real stuff -- I go all out and grate fresh stuff and brew it as tea, then add miso or brown-rice syrup) and brown rice with salt (eat it slooooow). If you ever get outright food poison, this will work. I swear I'm not a hippy.
posted by ajourneyroundmyskull at 1:46 PM on August 6, 2010

FYI, if you do have acid reflux (I'm guessing from the Tums), don't chose peppermint tea - it relaxes the sphincter muscle that's already not closing properly and makes the reflux worse.

Ginger's great though.
posted by deludingmyself at 2:41 PM on August 6, 2010

Peppermint tea. Ginger tea.

You can put honey in either of them, and that will help, too.

I don't know if you can get Maxolon (Metoclopramide hydrochloride) over the counter where you are, but if so, that's the best antinausea medicine around - GPs recommend it for the nausea that accompanies migraines.
posted by Year of meteors at 4:24 PM on August 6, 2010