What medications are used to treat vomiting?
Sep 18, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
In general, commonly used oral medications for treating vomiting include metoclopramide tablets, domperidone tablets, ondansetron tablets, vitamin B6 tablets, and Huoxiang Zhengqi Water. Patients can choose appropriate medications according to the cause and symptoms of vomiting under medical guidance. It is important to maintain a light diet, avoid overeating, and refrain from consuming raw, cold, or greasy foods. After vomiting, it is essential to replenish fluids promptly to prevent dehydration.
Generally, commonly used oral medications for treating vomiting include metoclopramide tablets, domperidone tablets, ondansetron tablets, vitamin B6 tablets, and Huoxiang Zhengqi Water (a traditional Chinese medicine). Patients can choose appropriate medications based on the cause and symptoms of vomiting under medical guidance. Specific details are as follows:
1. Metoclopramide Tablets
As a dopamine receptor antagonist, metoclopramide inhibits the vomiting center in the medulla oblongata, while promoting gastrointestinal motility, accelerating gastric emptying, and reducing gastroesophageal reflux, thereby relieving vomiting symptoms. It is suitable for vomiting caused by functional dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or induced by medications or radiotherapy.
2. Domperidone Tablets
This is a peripheral dopamine receptor antagonist that enhances lower esophageal sphincter tone, promotes gastric motility, shortens gastric emptying time, and prevents food retention in the stomach that may lead to vomiting. It is primarily used for postprandial fullness, nausea, and vomiting due to insufficient gastric motility, but has limited effectiveness against centrally mediated vomiting.
3. Ondansetron Tablets
As a 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor antagonist, ondansetron blocks the action of serotonin in the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system, suppressing the vomiting reflex and alleviating vomiting. It is commonly used to treat acute vomiting induced by chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery, and also shows certain efficacy against refractory vomiting.
4. Vitamin B6 Tablets
A water-soluble vitamin, vitamin B6 participates in various metabolic processes in the body and helps regulate nervous system function, reducing gastrointestinal reactions and relieving mild vomiting caused by pregnancy, medications, or illness. It is often used in combination with other antiemetics to enhance efficacy and reduce adverse effects.
5. Huoxiang Zhengqi Water
A traditional Chinese medicine formulation composed of ingredients such as Atractylodes, tangerine peel, and magnolia bark, it functions to relieve exterior symptoms, resolve dampness, regulate qi, and harmonize the stomach. It is suitable for vomiting caused by external contraction of wind-cold, internal injury from damp stagnation, or summer-heat dampness, often accompanied by symptoms such as heavy-headed headache, epigastric distension, and abdominal pain.
In daily life, it is important to maintain a light diet, avoid overeating, and refrain from consuming raw, cold, greasy, or spicy foods. After vomiting, promptly replenish fluids to prevent dehydration. If vomiting is frequent or accompanied by fever, abdominal pain, or other symptoms, seek medical attention promptly to determine the underlying cause and avoid delayed treatment.
