Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6): Generally well tolerated.
Diclectin® (Contains 10mg doxylamine and 10mg pyridoxine): Drowsiness. Avoid driving or operating machineries. Other side effects include dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention and blurred vision.
Promethazine teoclate: Drowsiness. Avoid driving or operating machineries. Other side effects include dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention and blurred vision.
Metoclopramide: Drowsiness. Avoid driving or operating machineries. Stop and seek medical advice if you experience uncontrollable movements (usually head and neck) such as shaking, twisting movement or muscle contraction (stiffness, rigidity).
Ondansetron: Generally well tolerated but may experience headache, fatigue or constipation.
Ranitidine/Famotidine: Generally well tolerated. These are gastric medications that may be prescribed to you to reduce acid reflux that can potentially be the cause of nausea and vomiting.
In most cases, NVP does not need treatment with medication. You should be assessed by a doctor if it is severe or is affecting your physical or mental health, or social life.
There are many drugs available to treat NVP in pregnancy with varying degrees of success as different medication works for different people. Hence, your doctor may prescribe you one or more of the medications mentioned below.
Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6): Can be taken with or without food.
Diclectin® (Contains 10mg doxylamine and 10mg pyridoxine): Take at bedtime on empty stomach.
Promethazine: Take when necessary. Can be taken with or without food.
Metoclopramide: Take when necessary. To be taken half to one hour before food.
Ondansetron: Take when necessary. Can be taken with or without food.Ranitidine/Famotidine: Take after food.
Mild nausea or vomiting will not harm the baby. However, in less than 1% of women, a severe form of NVP known as hyperemesis gravidarum may occur. This may lead to dehydration, weight loss and salt and vitamin imbalances. Both your and your baby's health may be affected due to the lack of food, fluid and nutrients. This may affect your mental health as well. Treatment may involve hospital admission, intravenous (IV) fluid replacement, and IV/oral medication treatment.
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is common and is a normal part of pregnancy in which up to 80% of women have it to some degree. The exact mechanism for NVP is unknown but likely due to a mix of hormonal, mechanical and psychological factors. It is commonly term "morning sickness" but the symptoms can occur at any time for day. These symptoms can be unpleasant and can affect your daily routine. It tends to occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and is normal. It usually improves and disappears by 16 weeks, but may be longer for some, even until birth.
What can you do to reduce Nausea and Vomitting?
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