Nausea at the End of Pregnancy
Pregnant women can take certain medicines to overcome nausea and vomiting if home based or herbal remedies don't seem to be working.
Many drugs - in both pill and suppository form - are available and are considered safe to take for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
However, it must be noted that not all of them work for every woman.
Here are some medications that can help in reducing nausea: Doxylamine with Vitamin B6: Many women have experienced reduced nausea after taking 10-25 mg of Vitamin B6 supplements three to four times a day.
It alleviates symptoms of mild to moderate nausea.
Doxylamine is an anti-histamine drug.
Doxylamine can induce sleepiness and therefore must not be taken before driving.
One-half of a 25 mg tablet or just two 5 mg chewable tablets can be used to decrease vomiting.
This medication can be combined with Vitamin B6 to produce better results.
A combination of Doxylamine and Vitamin B6 was earlier available in the US; however, it is now banned in the country because it was believed to cause birth defects.
No such finding has been made in subsequent studies.
The medication is now considered safe and effective.
Consultation with a doctor is a must before taking this medication.
Anti-histamine drugs are safe and effective.
Some other anti-histamine drugs that can be used to overcome nausea are: Promethazine: This drug is available as an injectable solution, pill or rectal suppository.
It should be taken every 4 hours to avoid nausea.
Its common side effects are dry mouth and drowsiness; however, it may also cause a rare side effect in which involuntary muscle contractions occur that cause jerking or twisting movements.
Metoclopramide: This drug helps in overcoming pregnancy-related nausea by speeding up the emptying of stomach.
It can be taken either orally or by injection every 8 hours.
Ondansetron: This is one of the most effective and therefore the most expensive anti-nausea drugs ($500 for 30 pills).
This medication must be taken either orally or by injection every 8 to 12 hours.
Originally, this drug was designed to control nausea in patients of chemotherapy.
If the cause of nausea is acidity, drugs that combat acidity must be used: Antacids: Many pregnant women develop acid reflux due to gastrointestinal distress which causes nausea to worsen.
In such a case, antacids are recommended.
If the nausea and vomiting is so severe that the expectant mother is not able to keep anything down, including water, food, juice, prenatal vitamins and supplements, or medications, she is probably suffering from a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum.
In such a case, the pregnant woman should be hospitalized and treated with intravenous (I.
V.
) fluids and medications.
Many I.
V.
drugs have been used to treat hyperemesis gravidarum, but the most powerful and effective drug is droperidol, especially when taken in combination with fluids, vitamins, and the antihistamine diphenhydramine.
Droperidol gets nausea and vomiting under control rapidly.
No medication should be taken by pregnant women without consulting their doctor.
Many drugs - in both pill and suppository form - are available and are considered safe to take for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
However, it must be noted that not all of them work for every woman.
Here are some medications that can help in reducing nausea: Doxylamine with Vitamin B6: Many women have experienced reduced nausea after taking 10-25 mg of Vitamin B6 supplements three to four times a day.
It alleviates symptoms of mild to moderate nausea.
Doxylamine is an anti-histamine drug.
Doxylamine can induce sleepiness and therefore must not be taken before driving.
One-half of a 25 mg tablet or just two 5 mg chewable tablets can be used to decrease vomiting.
This medication can be combined with Vitamin B6 to produce better results.
A combination of Doxylamine and Vitamin B6 was earlier available in the US; however, it is now banned in the country because it was believed to cause birth defects.
No such finding has been made in subsequent studies.
The medication is now considered safe and effective.
Consultation with a doctor is a must before taking this medication.
Anti-histamine drugs are safe and effective.
Some other anti-histamine drugs that can be used to overcome nausea are: Promethazine: This drug is available as an injectable solution, pill or rectal suppository.
It should be taken every 4 hours to avoid nausea.
Its common side effects are dry mouth and drowsiness; however, it may also cause a rare side effect in which involuntary muscle contractions occur that cause jerking or twisting movements.
Metoclopramide: This drug helps in overcoming pregnancy-related nausea by speeding up the emptying of stomach.
It can be taken either orally or by injection every 8 hours.
Ondansetron: This is one of the most effective and therefore the most expensive anti-nausea drugs ($500 for 30 pills).
This medication must be taken either orally or by injection every 8 to 12 hours.
Originally, this drug was designed to control nausea in patients of chemotherapy.
If the cause of nausea is acidity, drugs that combat acidity must be used: Antacids: Many pregnant women develop acid reflux due to gastrointestinal distress which causes nausea to worsen.
In such a case, antacids are recommended.
If the nausea and vomiting is so severe that the expectant mother is not able to keep anything down, including water, food, juice, prenatal vitamins and supplements, or medications, she is probably suffering from a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum.
In such a case, the pregnant woman should be hospitalized and treated with intravenous (I.
V.
) fluids and medications.
Many I.
V.
drugs have been used to treat hyperemesis gravidarum, but the most powerful and effective drug is droperidol, especially when taken in combination with fluids, vitamins, and the antihistamine diphenhydramine.
Droperidol gets nausea and vomiting under control rapidly.
No medication should be taken by pregnant women without consulting their doctor.
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