Vomitting Aids

Vomiting is an always uncomfortable, rarely beneficial act of the body. There are many causes of vomiting, some of which can be serious and require medical or surgical intervention. If your child’s doctor has determined that the vomiting is due to “gastroenteritis”, or another self-limited cause, then anti-emetics (medical term for anti-nausea/ anti-vomiting medications) may be used.

There are a number of very effective prescription anti-emetics, however, most pediatricians reserve the use of these medications for older children with very severe vomiting because of side effects which may accompany their use. Over-the-counter anti-emetics are less effective, but may be adequate.


Sometimes what appears to be vomiting is really gastroesophageal reflux. Reflux is common in infants, but less common as children grow up. However, even in older children, illnesses that cause prolonged bouts of coughing may result in a temporary return of reflux. This reflux is often mistaken for vomiting. Physicians may even refer to it as “post-tussive emesis”, meaning, “vomiting which follows coughing”, but it is nevertheless reflux. The importance of distinguishing the two is that anti-emetics will not be helpful with reflux. Instead, aggressive treatment of the cough is in order. Treatment for cough is discussed elsewhere on this site.


Active ingredients:


Dimenhydrinate (solitary active ingredient in some Dramamine products).
Dimenhydrinate is an antihistamine that is chemically similar to diphenhydramine. It is marketed for its anti-nausea, anti-vomiting, and anti-motion sickness effects. It is most effective for prevention and treatment of motion sickness. Sleepiness is a significant side effect.




· Diphenhydramine(solitary active ingredient in some Benadryl products). (Also solitary active ingredient in some Nytol, Sleepinal, Sominex, and Unisom products that are not marketed as anti-itch agents.) (Also one of several active ingredients in many cough, cold and flu products.)
Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that is not marketed for its anti-nausea effects. It is chemically very similar to dimenhydrinate (as in Dramamine). It is most effective for motion sickness, but can be helpful for other causes of nausea and vomiting. Sleepiness is a significant side effect.




Meclizine(solitary active ingredient in some Bonine and Dramamine products).
Meclizine is an antihistamine in a class distinct from diphenhydramine and dimenhydrinate. It is only available in tablet form for adults and children 12 and over. It is marketed as having less drowsiness than dimenhydrinate.




Phosphorylated carbohydrates (active ingredients in Emetrol and some "cola syups").
This medication contains glucose, fructose and phosphoric acid. Emetrol claims to “relieve nausea by local action on the wall of the hyperactive G.I. tract.” Glucose and fructose are small sugars that are in many foods, for example, a glass of orange juice. Phosphoric acid is used by cells in the body to metabolize glucose for use as an energy source. Exactly how this medication may help nausea and vomiting is not clear, and it is difficult to find any evidence that it actually is useful in this regard. Nevertheless, taken as directed it is very safe.






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