Best Nausea Medicine: OTC, Prescription Options & Home Remedies

Nausea is the queasy sensation that you experience before you vomit. It’s often described as the feeling of being “sick to your stomach” or having an “upset stomach.” It can be triggered by countless things, including food poisoning, medication, the flu, motion sickness, pregnancy, and more.

No matter what triggers it, nausea can make you feel miserable and keep you from daily activities. But luckily, there are lots of medications that can help relieve nausea. Here, we’ll discuss over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medicine options for nausea.

5 best OTC medicines for nausea

The best OTC option for nausea depends on the cause of your nausea symptoms. Many of these medications also have more affordable generic versions. Options include:

1. Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)

Bismuth subsalicylate is one of the best OTC medicines for nausea from gastrointestinal (GI) issues like stomach bugs, food poisoning, or travelers’ diarrhea. It kills germs and bacteria in the gut and GI tract that can trigger nausea. It also reduces inflammation in the digestive system, and you can find it as liquids, regular tablets, and chewable formats.

However, this medication should never be administered to children ages 12. If your child is sick, look for 'Pepto Kids' instead, which is specifically formulated to be safe for younger stomachs.

Generic versions are much cheaper than the name brand. As of 2026, 16 fluid ounces of generic bismuth subsalicylate costs $3.69 at Target. However, 16 fluid ounces of Pepto-Bismol costs $8.49.

2. Phosphoric acid/dextrose/fructose (Emetrol)

This combination helps with an upset stomach by relaxing stomach muscles, which can relieve nausea, vomiting, and bloating. It is also available in a children’s formulation. This makes it one of the most popular OTC nausea medications for children ages 2 and up.

Don’t drink any other fluids right before and after taking the medicine so as to not dilute it. Instead, take it every 15 minutes until your symptoms improve, but don’t take more than five doses within a single hour without consulting a healthcare professional. Avoid it altogether if you have diabetes or fructose intolerance due to high sugar.

A 4-ounce bottle of Emetrol costs about $14.50 at CVS. However, the generic Nausea Relief Liquid is priced at $9.99.

3. Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)

Dimenhydrinate is an antihistamine. It stops motion sickness by dulling the confusing movement signals between your inner ear and brain. Healthcare providers will also recommend dimenhydrinate to women suffering from morning sickness during pregnancy.

Make sure you take it 30 to 60 minutes before you expect to feel motion sickness. You should also note that drowsiness is a very common side effect.

It is considered to be one of the best OTC nausea medications for motion sickness and morning sickness. The brand name Dramamine is more expensive than generic dimenhydrinate. At CVS, a 12-count pack of 50 mg Dramamine tablets costs $9.39. The generic version costs just $6.29.

4. Meclizine (Bonine, Dramamine Less Drowsy)

This antihistamine works similarly to dimenhydrinate in combating motion sickness but with fewer sleepy side effects. That's why many people prefer it during the day.

Meclizine is available in capsules, standard tablets, and chewable forms. However, it takes a little longer to become active in the body. You should take it at least an hour before you plan to travel or expect to feel motion sickness.

At CVS, a 16-count pack of 25 mg Dramamine Less Drowsy tablets costs $12.99. The generic version is priced at $8.39.

5. Sodium citrate dihydrate (Nauzene)

This chewable tablet targets nausea and gives you fast relief from an over-acidic, upset stomach by neutralizing the acids in your stomach and relaxing your muscles.

You should chew one or two tablets every 15 minutes as needed. However, do not take more than 24 tablets in a single day.

As these tablets contain high amounts of both sugar and salt, you should avoid them if you have diabetes, are on a low-sodium diet, or cannot process fructose or phenylalanine.

Nauzene typically costs $12.19 for a 42-count box at major pharmacies like CVS. Generic options are slightly harder to find, but they are slightly cheaper at $9.99.

7 best prescription medicines for nausea

If OTC options aren’t helping your nausea, your healthcare provider may suggest prescription medication. Examples of fast-acting prescription nausea medications include:

1. Ondansetron

Ondansetron is better known by its brand name, Zofran. It’s a frequently prescribed serotonin antagonist. It works on receptors in the brain and intestines to prevent and treat nausea symptoms regardless of cause. Ondansetron is available both in tablet form and in ODT (orally disintegrating tablet) form. Once taken, it typically begins to relieve nausea within 30 to 60 minutes.

2. Promethazine (Promethegan, Phenadoz)

Promethazine is a fast-acting antihistamine that is sometimes prescribed for nausea. It typically takes effect within 20 to 30 minutes of taking it. However, it is rarely prescribed as the first medication of choice when treating nausea, and most providers do not prescribe this medication via telehealth.

3. Meclizine (Antivert)

Meclizine is used primarily to treat motion sickness and vertigo, and it can also help reduce nausea. It works similarly to dimenhydrinate with fewer sleepy side effects. While you can buy lower doses over the counter for motion sickness (which must be taken an hour in advance), doctors can prescribe a stronger formulation (Antivert) to treat severe vertigo and persistent nausea.

4. Prochlorperazine (Compazine)

Prochlorperazine is most commonly used to treat nausea and vomiting. It can also be prescribed off-label for migraine headaches. Prochlorperazine typically takes 30 to 40 minutes to relieve nausea.

5. Metoclopramide (Reglan)

Metoclopramide is often used to treat and prevent nausea and vomiting from gastroparesis or chemotherapy, as well as nausea associated with acute migraine attacks. It’s also prescribed to treat and prevent post-op nausea and vomiting. This medication usually begins working within 30 to 60 minutes.

6. Scopolamine (Transderm Scop)

Scopolamine is also known by its brand name, Transderm Scop. It can treat nausea from motion sickness, anesthesia, and surgery. Scopolamine is prescribed as a patch that is placed behind your ear. Once applied, scopolamine patches typically relieve nausea within 4 hours. Therefore, it’s best to apply the patch at least 4 hours before you need it. The patch can be left on for 3 days.

7. Olanzapine (Zyprexa)

Olanzapine is normally prescribed as an antipsychotic. However, some doctors prescribe it off-label as an anti-nausea medication. It works by blocking multiple neurotransmitters that can cause nausea, including dopamine, serotonin, and histamine. It’s often prescribed to treat chemotherapy nausea.

Nausea home remedies

If you prefer a natural approach, you can settle your stomach by sipping ginger or peppermint tea, eating bland foods like toast or bananas, and resting upright near fresh air.

You can also inhale lemon essential oil or apply firm acupressure to your inner wrist to signal the brain to reduce queasiness. To explore more ways to naturally soothe your upset stomach, read our guide on 9 ways to get rid of nausea from home.

Side effects of OTC nausea treatments

Over-the-counter medications are highly effective at suppressing an upset stomach, but they can also cause secondary reactions. It's relatively common to experience mild side effects. That’s because the active ingredients frequently interact with receptors in your central nervous system or digestive tract.

• Drowsiness or fatigue: Antihistamine-based options like dimenhydrinate often cause sluggishness and reduced alertness.
• Dry mouth, nose, or throat: Many OTC treatments reduce the production of saliva, leaving you with a parched feeling in your mouth or throat.
• Constipation: Some medications prevent vomiting by slowing down gut contractions. They can occasionally cause the entire digestive process to stall.
• Blurred vision: Some active ingredients can affect the pupils, making it temporarily difficult to focus on close objects.
• Restlessness or dizziness: You may feel jittery or slightly unsteady after taking OTC medication.
• Stomach irritation: Bismuth subsalicylate can sometimes cause mild stomach pain or a dark tongue and black stool.

If you experience any of these side effects, or if your symptoms worsen, it's important to speak to a healthcare professional. They can help you find better alternatives. With Sesame, you can book a telehealth visit within minutes. That way, you can speak with a licensed provider, review your symptoms, and adjust your treatment from the comfort of your home.

When to see a doctor about nausea

Nausea is common. But it can also be an indicator of a more serious problem. Call your healthcare provider right away if you notice that your nausea is persistent or worsening. You should also call your provider if you notice blood in your vomit, chest pains, fever, or blurred vision.

Best over-the-counter nausea medicine FAQs

What is the best medicine for nausea and vomiting?

The right medication depends on the cause of your nausea. Ondansetron (Zofran) is the most frequently prescribed medication for acute nausea. It blocks specific serotonin signals in the gut. This can help with nausea caused by illnesses, food poisoning, or surgery.

For everyday, over-the-counter options, dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) is the most widely used medication. It is often used to treat motion sickness. Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), meanwhile, is preferred for general stomach upset.

What are the best medicines for vomiting and diarrhea?

When vomiting and diarrhea hit at the same time, it usually means you have a stomach bug or food poisoning. Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) targets both vomiting and diarrhea while reducing inflammation in the gut. That makes it an excellent choice for those combined cases.

In severe or persistent cases, healthcare providers may prescribe ondansetron and antidiarrheal medication at the same time. This can help reduce nausea and prevent you from losing fluids. Dehydration is one of the most common issues caused by vomiting and diarrhea. That’s why it's important to take the symptoms seriously.

How Sesame can help with nausea medicine prescriptions

Looking to speak with a doctor or specialist about your nausea? Good news! If appropriate, providers on Sesame can write a prescription or refill an existing one during a virtual or in-person visit.

Depending on what medication you are prescribed, you can usually pick it up at a pharmacy near you on the same day. Book an online consultation with a provider on Sesame today to determine if nausea medicine is right for you.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your healthcare provider. Providers on Sesame cannot prescribe you controlled substances.