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Nausea and Vomiting

Anti Nausea Meds in Pregnancy

Nausea is common in the first three months of pregnancy. Occasional vomiting is also common. Many women find their morning sickness tolerable, however if becomes too much to handle there are medications available. All anti nausea and vomiting medications have side effects, so it may not be worth taking medicine if the predominant symptoms is nausea alone.

Vomiting, especially, throwing up multiple times each day, can be treated. There are three common and safe medicines used to treat nausea with vomiting, in pregnancy. Each of these medications is safe, and each has its own side effect. Luckily though, not all patients will experience the side effects.

Treatment Options

Drug Name

Active Ingredient

Dosage

Side Effect

Compazine Prochlorperazine 10 mg every 6 hours Jittery, neck spasm
Phenergan Promenthazine 25 mg every 6 hours Sleepy
Zofran Ondansetron 4-8 mg every 6 hours Constipation

These medicines are safe and effective and each has been used in pregnancy for years, including in the first trimester. Keep in mind that side effects do not happen to everyone. And the side effects are not always severe.

Managing Side Effects

Drug Name

Side Effect

Treat With

Dosage

Compazine Jittery, neck spasm diphenhydramine
(Benadryl)
25 or 50 mg
stop and switch
Phenergan Sleepy No Treatment switch
Zofran Constipation Docusate 100 mg
Twice Per Day

 

How and When to Take These Medications

Patients can take these medicines every 6, 8, 12 hours; 1-4 times per day. You can start or stop the medicines as needed or wanted. Patients can switch between these meds, also.

  • Take the medicine every 6 hours.
  • If its working, try taking the medicine every 8 hours.
  • Decrease to every 12 hours, or as needed, if feeling better.
  • Increase to every 6 hours, 4 scheduled doses each day, if feeling worse.
  • If you are taking the medicine every 6 hours and not feeling better you may switch to another medication.
  • Begin taking the new medicine every 6 hours.
  • If there is still No Relief then contact the office.

Intravenous Fluids

Sometimes, if the medications don’t work a patient may need intravenous fluids. Fluids can be given in the office. Some patients only need to come in for one round, others need to come for IV fluids daily. We can schedule IV fluids based on your needs. It is always best to call the office to arrange for IV fluids. The ER should be used as a LAST RESORT. It’s much better to call the office, so we can arrange IV fluids without going to the ER. Contact the office…