Most food poisoning resolves on its own within one to three days, and the single most important thing you can take is fluids. Replacing lost water and electrolytes does more to help you recover than any medication. That said, several over-the-counter options can ease symptoms while your body fights off the infection, and knowing which ones are safe (and which to avoid) matters.
Fluids and Electrolytes Come First
Vomiting and diarrhea drain water, sodium, and potassium from your body fast. Plain water helps, but it doesn’t replace the salts you’re losing. An oral rehydration solution works better because it pairs glucose with sodium in a ratio that helps your gut absorb fluid more efficiently. You can buy premade rehydration drinks at most pharmacies, or make a basic version at home with water, a small amount of sugar, and a pinch of salt.
If you can’t stomach full glasses, take small, frequent sips every few minutes. Sucking on ice chips works too. Sports drinks are a decent backup, though they contain more sugar and less sodium than a true rehydration solution. Avoid coffee, alcohol, and sugary sodas, all of which can make diarrhea worse.
Over-the-Counter Medications That Help
Bismuth subsalicylate (the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol) can reduce nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. It works by coating the stomach lining and has mild antibacterial properties. One important caution: it contains a salicylate, the same family of compounds as aspirin. If you’re already taking aspirin or another salicylate-containing medication, combining them raises the risk of overdose. Children under 12 should not take it at all, and teenagers recovering from the flu or chickenpox should also avoid it due to the risk of a rare but serious condition called Reye’s syndrome. Older adults with significant fluid loss from diarrhea should check with a doctor before using it.
Loperamide (Imodide) slows down gut contractions and can reduce the number of trips to the bathroom. It’s useful for watery diarrhea without other alarming symptoms. However, if you have bloody diarrhea or a fever, skip both bismuth subsalicylate and loperamide. Those signs suggest a bacterial or parasitic infection where slowing your gut down can actually trap the pathogen inside longer and make things worse.
For nausea and vomiting specifically, antihistamine-based options like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine can take the edge off. They block signals in the brain’s vomiting center. Drowsiness is the main side effect, which may actually be welcome when you’re miserable on the couch.
Ginger for Nausea
Ginger is one of the few natural remedies with genuine clinical support for reducing nausea. A large trial of 644 patients found that 0.5 to 1.0 grams of ginger per day significantly reduced nausea. That study focused on chemotherapy-related nausea, but ginger’s effect on the stomach appears to carry over to other causes. You can get that dose from ginger capsules, freshly grated ginger steeped in hot water, or even strong ginger chews. Ginger ale from the grocery store typically contains very little actual ginger and won’t have the same effect.
What to Eat During Recovery
You’ve probably heard of the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. It’s fine for the first day or two when your stomach is at its most fragile, but there’s no medical reason to limit yourself to just those four foods. Once you can keep bland food down, start adding more nutritious options. Cooked squash, carrots, sweet potatoes without skin, avocado, skinless chicken, fish, and eggs are all gentle on the stomach while giving your body more of what it needs to recover.
The bigger priority is avoiding foods that are harder to digest while you’re still symptomatic. Dairy, fried foods, spicy dishes, and high-fiber raw vegetables can all irritate a gut that’s still inflamed. Reintroduce those gradually over a few days as you feel better.
When Antibiotics Are Needed
Most food poisoning is viral (norovirus is the most common culprit), and antibiotics do nothing against viruses. Even many bacterial cases, like those caused by Salmonella, resolve without antibiotics. Your immune system handles it.
Doctors typically reserve antibiotics for specific situations: confirmed bacterial infections that aren’t clearing on their own, parasitic infections, or certain strains of E. coli that cause traveler’s diarrhea without fever or bloody stool. If a doctor does prescribe an antibiotic, it will be targeted to the specific pathogen identified through stool testing. You won’t be prescribed antibiotics “just in case” for a standard bout of food poisoning.
What About Probiotics?
Probiotics like Lactobacillus and Saccharomyces boulardii are often marketed for digestive recovery, but the evidence for food poisoning specifically is thin. The CDC notes that studies on probiotics for preventing and treating diarrheal illness have been small and inconclusive, partly because probiotic products vary widely in quality and bacterial content. They’re unlikely to cause harm, but don’t count on them to meaningfully speed up your recovery. If you want to try them, look for products with a clearly labeled strain and colony count.
Signs That Need Medical Attention
Most people ride out food poisoning at home without complications. But certain symptoms signal something more serious. Get medical help if you experience any of the following:
- Bloody diarrhea, which suggests a bacterial or parasitic infection
- Diarrhea lasting more than three days without improvement
- Fever above 102°F (38.9°C)
- Inability to keep any liquids down due to repeated vomiting
- Signs of dehydration, including very little urination, dry mouth, or dizziness when standing
- Neurological symptoms like blurry vision, muscle weakness, or tingling skin
Pregnant women with fever and flu-like symptoms should also seek care promptly, since certain foodborne infections (particularly Listeria) can cause serious complications during pregnancy. For children under two, any fever alongside vomiting and diarrhea warrants a call to their pediatrician.