How to Get Over Food Poisoning: Medication and Treatments to Try at Home

Every year, there are as many as 600 million cases of food poisoning worldwide. It occurs when you eat or drink contaminated food or beverages, and most people know the telltale signs. Sometimes, it starts with waves of nausea and vomiting. Other times, belly cramps and diarrhea seem to come out of nowhere. Most of the time, the symptoms are short lived — but those few days can be miserable. 

Here, we’ll review food poisoning treatments to help speed up your recovery. And, when home treatment isn’t enough, we’ll help you know when it’s time to see a healthcare professional or head to the hospital.

The best at-home food poisoning treatments

The cause of food poisoning is an infection in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The main treatment is to keep your body running while the infection runs its course. This means staying hydrated by replenishing the fluids and electrolytes you’re losing. 

But what else helps with food poisoning? You can also take medicine for food poisoning symptoms like nausea and diarrhea. Let’s look at some ways to treat food poisoning.

1. Stay hydrated

When you have vomiting or diarrhea, your body is losing more than just water. It’s also losing important electrolytes like sodium and potassium. So, it’s important to choose drinks that also replenish these vital nutrients. Clear liquids — especially those with salt and a little bit of sugar — are the best things to drink when you’re sick.

What to drink when you have food poisoning 

To stay hydrated, you can drink:

• Oral rehydration fluids: These include drinks that are specially formulated to keep you hydrated — like Ceralyte, Pedialyte, and Oralyte. Many people will reach for sports drinks first, but these are less ideal. They often have too much sugar and too few electrolytes. Liquids with a lot of sugar can make diarrhea worse. 

• Broth: Broth tends to be high in salt and low in sugar. That makes it a great choice to help keep you hydrated. And you may find savory liquids more soothing and appealing than sweeter ones.

• Clear, watered-down juice: A mix of half juice and half water can be great. Watering down the juice can help it taste good without worsening your symptoms. Stick with clear juices — like apple or cranberry juice. Juices with pulp are harder to digest.

• Popsicles: These are another great way to get some liquids, especially for kids. Sometimes, the cold can feel soothing. You can even make your own by freezing juices or sports drinks.

How to keep liquids down

Choosing the right liquids is only half the battle. Here are some tips to keep those liquids down:

• Take small sips often. Remember to drink frequently. Taking a few sips every few minutes can be as good as getting IV fluids. Small sips are easier on your stomach. Avoid the temptation to take large gulps between waves of nausea. 

• Keep drinking even if you’re vomiting. If you’re throwing up, you may think drinking fluids is a lost cause. But a little persistence can go a long way. While it may feel like you threw everything up, you’ll often retain more fluids than you think.

• Try different liquids. You may prefer one drink over another. But rotate between different juices or broths to help your body get a mix of electrolytes. 

2. Try over-the-counter food poisoning medications

Hydration is the cornerstone of food poisoning treatment. But there are many over-the-counter (OTC) food poisoning medications that can help with recovery. Here’s what to take for food poisoning symptoms: 

• Nausea medications: Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine (Bonine) are for motion sickness. But they may help with mild nausea. 

• Loperamide (Imodium): Loperamide is an antidiarrheal medication that helps slow down your gut. This can mean fewer episodes of diarrhea. Follow the instructions to avoid taking too much. You should avoid this medication if you have bloody diarrhea or fever. Also, this medication isn’t for children under 12.

• Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol): Many people wonder if Pepto-Bismol helps with food poisoning. It can help with both nausea and diarrhea. But because of the aspirin content, it’s not recommended for children under 12.

• Fever medications: Fever can cause body aches or headaches. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help. 

• Probiotics: These “good bacteria” supplements might help decrease how long you have diarrhea. But scientists are still studying whether probiotics help specifically with food poisoning. In general, they may be more helpful for prevention than treatment.

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• Is food poisoning contagious? Even when someone gets sick from food, they can still pass the bacteria or virus to other people.

• Food poisoning versus stomach flu: These two illnesses can cause similar symptoms, but there are some differences that can help you tell them apart.

• When should you go to the ER for dehydration? Food poisoning can be serious if it causes severe dehydration. These are the signs that you should seek care.

3. Ease back into eating

It’s best not to eat solid foods until you can drink clear liquids without throwing up for at least 6 hours. Once you reach that benchmark, start with bland, low-fiber foods. These tend to be easier to digest, especially when your gut isn’t at its best. 

Foods to eat after food poisoning

Here are examples of what to eat after food poisoning:

• Plain breads or crackers

• Bananas

• Plain potatoes or rice

• Plain pasta

In the past, the BRAT diet was recommended: bananas, ice, applesauce, and toast. But many experts find this diet to be too restrictive. So, you shouldn’t feel limited to these foods. And don’t try to force them down if they’re not agreeing with you.

Even as you’re feeling better and able to eat more foods, it’s important to continue drinking fluids. This will help restore all of your fluid losses and help you feel better. 

When to seek medical attention

Most people make a full recovery from food poisoning without seeing a healthcare professional. But some people are at a higher risk for developing a more severe illness. These groups include: 

• Children under 5

• Older adults, especially those over 65

• People with conditions that affect their immune system (such as HIV, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes)

If you fall into one of the above groups, it’s a good idea to talk with your primary care provider — even if you feel like you’re doing fine at home. They can help check your symptoms and run some tests to make sure you’re OK. 

Even though most people don’t need antibiotics for treatment, this isn’t true for everyone. Some people — like those with a weaker immune system — may need them to fight off the infection.

But whether or not you’re in a high-risk category, you should go to the emergency room (ER) if you develop any of the following symptoms:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness

• Bloody stools

• Severe abdominal pain

• Persistent, uncontrolled vomiting

• Difficulty staying awake or confusion

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Written by:

Jill L. Jaimes, MD

Jill L. Jaimes, MD, is a board-certified pediatric emergency medicine physician with over 20 years of clinical experience. She received her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and completed her residency and fellowship training at Texas Children’s Hospital.

Edited by:

Katie E. Golden, MD

Katie E. Golden, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a medical editor at GoodRx.

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