Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are medicines you can buy without a prescription from your doctor. Medicines that treat nausea and vomiting are called antiemetics. Several OTC medicines are used as antiemetics. These include: Show
Stomach viruses are easy to catch and can make you feel miserable. For mild cases, I recommend simple home treatment. Read More by Dr. Shilpa Mehta Bismuth subsalicylate works by protecting the stomach lining. Antihistamines appear to dull the inner ear’s ability to sense motion. They block messages to the part of the brain that controls nausea and vomiting. This is why they work best if you take them before you start feeling motion sickness. Before you take an OTC antiemetic medicine, read the directions on the drug facts label. This will tell you how much medicine to take and how often to take it. If you have any questions, call your family doctor. Keep a record of which OTC medicines you’re using and when you take them. If you need to go to the doctor, take this list with you. If you are pregnant, do not take any OTC antiemetic medicines without first contacting your doctor. Follow these tips to make sure you are taking the right amount of medicine: Store all medicines up and away, out of reach and sight of young children. Keep medicines in a cool, dry place. This will help prevent them from becoming less effective. Don’t store medicines in bathrooms or bathroom cabinets. These locations are often hot and humid. Healthy adults usually don’t experience side effects from antiemetic medicines. Side effects can be a concern for older adults or people who have health problems. The most common side effects of bismuth subsalicylate are: These are short-term side effects. Antihistamines may make you feel sleepy. This can affect your ability to drive or operate machines. It may be hard for you to think clearly. Alcohol can increase the drowsiness caused by antihistamines. They may also cause your mouth and eyes to feel dry. Who shouldn’t take OTC antiemetic medicines?Some people are allergic to aspirin or other salicylate medicines. They shouldn’t take bismuth subsalicylate. Don’t give bismuth subsalicylate to children 12 years of age or younger. Don’t give it to children or teenagers who may have the flu or chickenpox. This increases their risk for Reye syndrome. This is a serious illness that can lead to death. Before taking an antihistamine, talk to your doctor if you have any of the following problems:
Can OTC antiemetic medicines cause problems with any other medicines I take?Bismuth subsalicylate may affect how well some medicines work. It also may cause side effects if combined with other medicines. Ask your doctor before taking bismuth subsalicylate if you also take:
Ask your doctor before taking bismuth subsalicylate if you take pain relievers or cold medicines. These medicines may contain aspirin, which is a salicylate. You may get too much salicylate if you take more than 1 of these medicines at a time. Talk to your doctor before taking an antihistamine if you take sleeping pills, sedatives, or muscle relaxants. Many OTC cold and allergy medicines contain antihistamines. If you use more than 1 of these medicines, you may get more antihistamine than you intend. Some prescription medicines have side effects similar to the side effects of antihistamines. These could include dry mouth and drowsiness. Talk with your doctor before taking these medicines at the same time. What is the quickest way to get rid of a stomach bug?Lifestyle and home remedies. Let your stomach settle. Stop eating solid foods for a few hours.. Try sucking on ice chips or taking small sips of water often. ... . Ease back into eating. ... . Avoid certain foods and substances until you feel better. ... . Get plenty of rest. ... . Try anti-diarrhea medications.. What can be prescribed for stomach flu?What is the best medication for the stomach flu?. How do you get rid of the stomach flu Feeling sick?To help ease your symptoms: Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration – You need to drink more than usual to replace the fluids lost from vomiting and diarrhoea. Water is best, but you could also try fruit juice and soup. Take paracetamol for any fever or aches and pains.
Will PeptoThere are non-prescription products, such as Imodium, Pepto-Bismol, and Kaopectate that can decrease the frequency or increase the density of bowel movements. However, it's best to consult with a health care provider before taking any of these products. Antidiarrheals sometimes can prolong an illness.
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