What causes nausea and vomiting?
Nausea and vomiting are symptoms rather than conditions in themselves, and there are a number of things that can trigger them. Common causes include:
- Travel sickness in a car, boat, or plane
- Morning sickness during pregnancy
- Viral infections like norovirus or a stomach bug
- Side effects from medications including chemotherapy or antibiotics
- Inner ear problems like labyrinthitis or vertigo
- Migraines
- Food poisoning
- Post-operative nausea following surgery or anaesthesia
In most cases, nausea and vomiting are short-lived and resolve on their own or with treatment. If symptoms are persistent, severe, or accompanied by other worrying signs, it is important to speak to your GP.
What are the symptoms of nausea?
Nausea often comes alongside other physical symptoms, which can include:
- An uncomfortable sensation in the stomach or throat
- Excessive saliva or a watery mouth
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Sweating
- Feeling hot or flushed
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach cramps or pain
Vomiting may or may not follow nausea. Some people feel persistently queasy without actually being sick.
Anti Sickness Treatments
For moderate to severe or persistent nausea and vomiting, prescription-strength anti-sickness medicine may be needed. Our licensed pharmacists can review your symptoms through our online consultation and recommend the most suitable option.
Cyclizine Hydrochloride Tablets
Cyclizine is an antihistamine used to treat nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by travel sickness, vertigo, and inner ear disorders. It works by blocking histamine receptors in the brain that trigger the vomiting reflex.
Prochlorperazine Buccal Tablets
Prochlorperazine is used to treat nausea and vomiting that comes with migraines, vertigo, and labyrinthitis. These tablets dissolve between the upper lip and gum, making them a practical option when swallowing is difficult while feeling sick.
Xonvea Tablets
Xonvea is a licensed treatment specifically indicated for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (morning sickness) that has not improved with dietary or lifestyle changes. It contains doxylamine and pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and is the only treatment of its kind licensed for use in pregnancy in the UK.
Tips for Managing Nausea
Alongside medication, a few simple measures can help ease nausea:
- Eat small, bland meals regularly rather than large portions
- Stay hydrated with sips of water or clear fluids
- Avoid strong smells, fatty or spicy foods, and alcohol
- Rest in a cool, well-ventilated space
- For motion sickness, focus on a fixed point in the distance and avoid reading


