10 Tips to Help Upset Stomach Caused by Medication

Feeling like you’re about to throw up might be an all-too-familiar feeling for some, and one we’d all like to avoid as much as possible. But some medications can cause an upset stomach — and for different reasons. 

Medications like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) may irritate your stomach. Others cause nausea by slowing down how fast your stomach empties after eating. These include birth control pills and some diabetes medications, like exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon BCise). And opioid pain medications, as well as certain chemotherapy treatments, can make you feel nauseated by affecting chemicals in your brain.

While the reason you’re feeling sick to your stomach depends on the medication you’re taking, there are some universal things you can try to feel better. Here, we’ll go over 10 tips for what helps an upset stomach from medication.

1. Don’t stop taking your medication

The first thing you might be tempted to do if you experience an upset stomach after taking your medication is stop taking it. But in some cases, this can be dangerous. Always contact your provider before suddenly stopping your medication to make sure it’s safe. They can also help you manage your side effects or recommend an alternative treatment option.

Keep in mind that sometimes side effects like upset stomach and nausea can go away once your body adjusts to the medication. So sticking with it is often the best course of action. But if your symptoms become severe or you feel something isn’t right, it’s best to get medical attention.

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2. Stay hydrated

If you’re not drinking enough water, you could experience nausea. This is one of the ways your body tells you that you’re dehydrated. And nausea from your medication may lead you to stop drinking water, which can make your nausea worse.

Make sure you understand how much water you should be drinking every day. Electrolyte drinks are another helpful option. Keep track of your fluids by using a marked water bottle or log. If you aren’t sure how much you should be drinking, ask your healthcare provider.

3. Avoid spicy, fried, or high-fiber foods

When you’re nauseous, it’s best to avoid fried and spicy foods. Foods with a high amount of fat (like foods fried in oil) can cause your stomach to empty slower. And this may contribute to bloating, heartburn, and nausea.

A chemical found in many spicy foods, called capsaicin, can cause nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea. If you’re experiencing stomach upset from your medication, avoid eating greasy or spicy foods. This can help prevent things from getting worse.

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High-fiber food can also make nausea worse. The BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) is a good guideline to follow. It includes foods that are less likely to cause or worsen nausea.

4. Eat smaller, more frequent meals

Eating smaller, more frequent meals instead of large meals a few times a day can improve symptoms of nausea.

Eating smaller meals can also be helpful if your medication is irritating your stomach. And if your medication is causing your stomach to empty slower, eating less can make it easier to digest.

5. Take your medication with food

You need to take some medications on an empty stomach for them to work properly. But if you’re able to take your medication with food, this may help prevent an upset stomach. Some examples of medications you can try taking with food include:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

• Corticosteroids like prednisone or methylprednisolone (Medrol)

• Some antibiotics, like amoxicillin/clavulanate (Augmentin) or nitrofurantoin (Macrobid, Macrodantin)

• Metformin (Glumetza, Riomet)

Check with your pharmacist or healthcare provider to see if it’s safe to take your medication with food.

6. Try ginger or peppermint

You may have heard that ginger or peppermint could help with nausea. In fact, ginger has been shown in some small studies to reduce nausea and vomiting in certain situations. It’s thought to improve how quickly food moves through your stomach and affect areas in the brain that cause nausea. 

Peppermint oil capsules may help with stomach issues with very few side effects. And peppermint extract may help with nausea from chemotherapy, as well. It’s thought that peppermint oil helps with nausea and vomiting by blocking certain proteins that cause it. And it might help settle an upset stomach by preventing spasms in your gut.

Keep in mind that both ginger and peppermint can interact with certain medications. And both are available in many different forms, such as teas, capsules, or oils. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if either product might be right for you.

7. Consider acupressure tools

Acupressure is a type of alternative medicine where you apply pressure on specific areas of your body. It’s thought to change the way your nerves send messages to your brain. The acupressure point for nausea is located on the inside of your wrists at the base of your palms. 

While research is mixed on how well acupressure works for nausea and vomiting, there have been some studies with positive results. For example, a small group of people taking chemotherapy who used acupressure had less intense nausea compared to those who didn’t try acupressure. And studies in pregnant women have shown that applying pressure at the base of the wrist improved the severity of nausea and vomiting from morning sickness.

Acupressure tools and wristbands for nausea are sold in many pharmacies. If you’re curious to learn more, speak with an acupuncturist — they often provide acupressure as well. You can also find a massage therapist through the American Massage Therapy Association.

8. Change when you take your medication

If your morning medications are causing you to feel nauseated, it can sometimes help to move them to a different time of the day. For example, taking your medication at bedtime might help you not notice the nausea as much when you’re sleeping. This is why many providers recommend taking birth control pills at night. Or, you can try taking your medication mid-day when your stomach isn’t as empty.

Check with your healthcare provider before changing when you take your medication. They can tell you if it’s OK to do so.

9. Consider an OTC nausea medication

There are a few over-the-counter (OTC) nausea medications that can help relieve nausea and vomiting. Examples include bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) and Nauzene.

Keep in mind that these medications are meant for temporary relief. Check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist first before trying one for your type of nausea. And let them know if you’re still taking them after more than a few days, as there may be something more serious going on. A prescription nausea medication may also be a better option at this point.

10. Talk to your provider about changes to your medication

If your medication is causing an upset stomach, it’s likely to go away as your body adjusts to it. But if it worsens or persists, speak with your healthcare provider. 

It might be possible to change your dose, split it up throughout the day, or even change to a different medication. Sometimes starting with a lower dose and slowly raising it also helps with nausea. 

But don’t stop taking your medication or make any changes to how you take it on your own. For your safety, be sure to check with your healthcare provider first.

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Written by:

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD, is a licensed pharmacist in California. She has been a retail pharmacy manager and staff pharmacist for over 7 years and has contributed drug information content to different health companies.

Reviewed by:

Jenna Clayton, PharmD

Jenna Clayton, PharmD, earned her doctorate from the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. There, she gained experience in a variety of settings, including community, hospital, and long-term care.

Reviewed by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

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