For most cases of nausea and upset stomach, a combination of an over-the-counter medication like bismuth subsalicylate, small sips of fluid, and bland foods will get you feeling better within a day or two. The best choice depends on what’s causing your symptoms, whether it’s a stomach bug, motion sickness, pregnancy, or something you ate.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Bismuth subsalicylate (the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate) is the most widely available OTC option for general nausea and upset stomach. It coats the stomach lining, reduces inflammation, and can help with both nausea and diarrhea. The standard adult dose is 2 chewable tablets or 2 tablespoons of liquid every 30 minutes to an hour as needed, with a maximum of 16 tablets or 16 tablespoons of regular-strength liquid in 24 hours. It can temporarily turn your tongue and stool black, which is harmless.
Another OTC option is a phosphorated carbohydrate solution (sold as Emetrol), a sweet syrup containing fructose, dextrose, and phosphoric acid. Adults take one or two tablespoons, repeated every 15 minutes until the nausea stops, for no more than five doses in an hour. Worth noting: this product has not been proven effective in clinical studies, though some people find it helpful for mild queasiness.
Motion Sickness
If your nausea is triggered by travel or movement, antihistamines work better than general stomach remedies. Meclizine (sold as Dramamine Less Drowsy or Bonine) is taken at 25 to 50 milligrams one hour before travel, with no more than one dose per 24 hours. It’s not recommended for children under 12. Dimenhydrinate (original Dramamine) is another option, though both can cause drowsiness.
Timing matters here. These medications work by blocking signals between your inner ear and brain, so they need to be in your system before the motion starts. Taking them after nausea has already set in is far less effective.
Nausea During Pregnancy
Pregnancy nausea requires a different approach because many standard medications aren’t safe during pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends vitamin B6 as a first-line treatment. If B6 alone isn’t enough, it can be combined with doxylamine, an antihistamine found in some OTC sleep aids. Half of a scored 25-milligram doxylamine tablet (12.5 milligrams) is the typical dose. Talk with your OB provider before starting either, since they can help you find the right combination and rule out more severe pregnancy-related vomiting.
Ginger
Ginger is one of the most studied natural remedies for nausea, though the evidence is more nuanced than most people realize. A systematic review of clinical trials found that ginger supplements at doses up to 1 gram per day, taken for four or more days, significantly reduced acute vomiting compared to placebo. However, the same review found no meaningful difference for nausea specifically. The ideal dose and form remain unclear because studies vary widely in how they use ginger.
In practical terms, ginger tea, ginger chews, or ginger capsules are all reasonable to try for mild nausea. If you go with supplements, aim for around 1 gram per day and give it a few days to see results.
Peppermint
Peppermint oil works by relaxing the smooth muscle in your digestive tract, which can ease stomach cramps, bloating, and gas. It’s available as capsules, and peppermint tea is a gentler option for mild symptoms. Peppermint is better suited for crampy, bloated-type stomach discomfort than for active vomiting.
What to Eat and Drink
Staying hydrated is the single most important thing when you’re dealing with nausea and vomiting. Small, frequent sips work better than gulping large amounts, which can trigger more vomiting. If you’ve been throwing up or had diarrhea, plain water alone isn’t ideal because you’re also losing electrolytes. A simple homemade rehydration drink, recommended by the University of Virginia Health, is 4 cups of water mixed with half a teaspoon of table salt and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Commercial options like Pedialyte or sports drinks diluted with water also work.
The old standby BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) is fine for a day or two, but there’s no reason to limit yourself to just those four foods. Harvard Health Publishing notes that brothy soups, oatmeal, boiled potatoes, crackers, and unsweetened dry cereal are equally easy to digest. Once your stomach settles, adding foods with more nutritional value, like cooked carrots, sweet potatoes without skin, avocado, eggs, and skinless chicken, will help you recover faster. The goal is bland and low-fat at first, then gradually expanding as you feel better.
Warning Signs That Need Medical Attention
Most nausea and upset stomach resolves on its own within 24 to 48 hours. But certain symptoms signal something more serious. Call 911 if nausea and vomiting come with chest pain, severe abdominal cramping, blurred vision, confusion, high fever with a stiff neck, or rectal bleeding.
Head to urgent care or an emergency room if your vomit contains blood, looks like coffee grounds, or is green. The same applies if you develop signs of dehydration: excessive thirst, dark urine, dizziness when standing, or very infrequent urination. A sudden, severe headache alongside vomiting, especially one unlike any headache you’ve had before, also warrants immediate evaluation.