If you get migraine headaches, the first thing on your mind is probably doing whatever you can to make the extreme pain go away—but migraine can bring along other symptoms, too. Nausea, for instance, is a common symptom that can be incredibly frustrating.
In an article for The Cut, one woman suffering from migraine said, “The head pain is the least of my concerns. It’s the light hurting my eyes and constant throwing up that is most impactful.”
Even if you don’t typically get an upset stomach with your migraine, nausea can be a side effect of triptans, a pain relief medication taken during attacks. While there are home remedies for handling nausea—ginger in particular has been proven to ease an upset stomach—there are also prescription anti-nausea drugs that can be incredibly effective.
In this article, we’ll break down the best anti-nausea treatment options if you’re dealing with migraine.
What is anti-nausea medication and how does it help relieve migraine symptoms?
As you probably know from your own experience, nausea is a common condition and a side effect of many drugs.
When it comes to treating migraine, anti-nausea medication won’t do anything for your headache—but it can soothe the upset stomach that so often accompanies it.
What are the different types of anti-nausea medication?
Some anti-nausea drugs are available over-the-counter. For example, antacids (like Tums) and medications like Pepto-Bismol can settle your stomach. However, because migraine nausea originates from your migraine (a.k.a. your brain) and not your stomach, these won’t be effective.
Other anti-nausea and vomiting medicines, known as antiemetics, are available with a prescription from your medical provider and do treat migraine nausea (as well as general nausea):
- Metoclopramide (generic Reglan®)
- Ondansetron (generic Zofran®)
- Chlorpromazine (generic Thorazine®)
- Prochloperazine (generic Compazine®)
- Promethazine (generic Phenargan®)
- Trimeto-benzamidehydrochloride (generic Tigan®)
How do you take anti-nausea medication?
Most of the time, the anti-nausea medication can be taken by mouth with a glass of water.
Before reaching for the medication, though, you need to know which ones to take, and how they’ll work with other medications you’re taking. Your medical provider can check for any drug interactions you need to know about, and give you specific directions.
Wondering if you can take an over-the-counter like Tums® or Pepto-Bismol® along with an antiemetic like ondansetron? Yes, it’s generally safe to combine these medications, but you might be better off just sticking with the antiemetic.
You wouldn’t take Tums® or Pepto-Bismol® to help with a headache, and it doesn’t make much more sense to use them to treat migraine nausea. That’s because even though you’re feeling sick to your stomach, the nausea’s really coming from your brain.
When do you take anti-nausea medication?
In general, you’ll want to take it as soon as you have nausea caused by a migraine attack. And, if your other medication gives you nausea as a side effect, your medical provider might also recommend that you take it at the same time.
Who should take anti-nausea medication?
For many people, nausea is part of a typical migraine attack. If you’re in that boat, anti-nausea medication can help you manage your upset stomach during a migraine attack.
And, if your attacks (or treatment) make you throw up, your medical provider might suggest anti-nausea medicine to help you keep your medicine down, too.
Who shouldn't take anti-nausea medication?
While anti-nausea medications are generally considered safe and effective, there are people who should consider other migraine treatments. For instance:
- people who have kidney problems
- people who have other stomach problems
- people with high blood pressure
- people with certain cardiac conditions
- people who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
With that said, every person is different and we recommend speaking with your medical provider about any questions or concerns.
What are the possible side effects of taking anti-nausea medication?
While anti-nausea medication is generally considered safe, like many medications, there are potential side effects. According to the Cleveland Clinic, some of the common side effects include:
- confusion
- drowsiness or excitability
- dizziness
- dystonia (involuntary muscle contractions)
- leg aches
- nightmares
- upset stomach or diarrhea
- uncontrollable muscle movements, lip-smacking, or chewing
- restlessness
- sensitivity to sunlight
You should immediately contact your medical provider if you experience signs of serious allergic reaction, dizziness, or difficulty breathing while taking these medications.
What anti-nausea medications does Cove offer?
At Cove, we offer metoclopramide (generic Reglan®) and ondansetron (generic Zofran®), medications that have been proven extremely effective in clinical trials. Ondansetron is available as a standard tablet or as an orally-dissolving tablet (ODT), which melts in your mouth.
We know this is a lot of information on just one possible migraine treatment option. So if you’d like to speak to a medical provider who specializes in migraine about getting prescription medication for for your nausea, we can connect you with a Cove medical provider today.
Want to keep exploring your options? We recommend reading about other migraine treatments: NSAIDs, beta blockers, anti-convulsants, anti-CGRPs, and antidepressants.
The information provided in this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely upon the content provided in this article for specific medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your medical provider.
Metoclopramide is used to treat or prevent upset stomach and throwing up. Some people who take this drug may get a very bad muscle problem called tardive dyskinesia. This muscle problem may not go away even if this drug is stopped. Sometimes, signs may lessen or go away over time after this drug is stopped. The risk of tardive dyskinesia may be greater in people with diabetes and in older adults, especially older women. The risk is also greater the longer you take this drug or with higher doses. Muscle problems may also occur after short-term use with low doses. Call your medical provider right away if you have trouble controlling body movements or if you have muscle problems with your tongue, face, mouth, or jaw like tongue sticking out, puffing cheeks, mouth puckering, or chewing. Avoid taking this drug for more than 12 weeks. You can read more about metoclopramide’s side effects, warnings, and precautions here. If you would like to learn more about metoclopramide, please see the full prescription information here. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit MedWatch: https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department. If you are contemplating suicide, call 911 or call/text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. These services are available 24/7.
Ondansetron is a medication used to treat or prevent upset stomach and throwing up. Tell your medical provider or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect: signs of an allergic reaction, chest pain or pressure, slow heartbeat, numbness and tingling, belly pain, trouble passing urine, trouble controlling body movements, change in eyesight, feeling very sleepy, seizures, dizziness, fever or chills, allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue; breathing problems; confusion; dizziness; fast or irregular heartbeat; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls; fever and chills; loss of balance or coordination; seizures; sweating; swelling of the hands and feet; tightness in the chest; tremors; unusally weak or tired. A type of abnormal heartbeat (prolonged QT interval) can happen with this drug. Call your medical provider right away if you have a fast heartbeat, a heartbeat that does not feel normal, or if you pass out. A very bad and sometimes deadly health problem called serotonin syndrome may happen. The risk may be greater if you take this drug with drugs for depression, migraines, or certain other drugs. Check with your medical provider or health care professional as soon as you can if you have any sign of an allergic reaction. Tell your medical provider if you have any of these conditions: heart disease; history of irregular heartbeat; liver disease; low levels of magnesium or potassium in the blood; an unusual or allergic reaction to ondansetron, granisetron, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives; pregnant or trying to get pregnant; breast-feeding. Call your medical provider right away if you have agitation; change in balance; confusion; hallucinations; fever; fast or abnormal heartbeat; flushing; muscle twitching or stiffness; seizures; shivering or shaking; sweating a lot; very bad diarrhea, upset stomach, or throwing up; or very bad headache. If you would like to learn more about ondansetron, please see the full prescription information here. If you would like to learn more about ondansetron ODT, please see the full prescription information here.You can read more about ondansetron side effects, warnings, and precautions here.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit MedWatch: https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Photo by Nikita Katsevich on Unsplash.
