Medicine for nausea
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Effective Medicines for Nausea: A Comprehensive Review
Introduction to Nausea Treatments
Nausea is a common and distressing symptom experienced by individuals across various conditions, including pregnancy, chemotherapy, and palliative care. This article synthesizes the latest research on the efficacy and safety of different treatments for nausea, focusing on both conventional and complementary medicine.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Nausea
Ginger as a Remedy for Nausea
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been extensively studied for its antiemetic properties. Research indicates that ginger is effective in reducing nausea and vomiting across different contexts, including pregnancy, chemotherapy, and postoperative care. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that ginger significantly reduced nausea and vomiting in pregnant women compared to conventional medicine and placebo1. Another review highlighted ginger's potential in managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), although results were mixed and further high-quality studies are needed7 8. Additionally, ginger was shown to reduce postoperative nausea but had no significant effect on vomiting or the need for antiemetic drugs9.
Acupuncture and Acupressure
Acupuncture and acupressure, particularly at the P6 point, have been explored as treatments for nausea. Studies suggest that these methods can be effective, especially in pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting. Acupuncture was found to be superior to conventional medicine in some trials, while acupressure showed benefits in reducing the need for antiemetic drugs1 4. However, the evidence is not consistent, and more robust studies are required to confirm these findings3.
Other CAM Therapies
Other CAM therapies, such as aromatherapy, hypnosis, and massage, have also been investigated. A systematic review on pediatric oncology patients found that acupuncture, hypnosis, and massage improved nausea and vomiting, although the high risk of bias in the studies limits the strength of these conclusions2. Similarly, a review of various interventions for early pregnancy nausea found limited and inconsistent evidence for the effectiveness of these therapies3.
Conventional Medicine for Nausea
Pharmacological Interventions
Pharmacological treatments remain a cornerstone in managing nausea, particularly in palliative care and cancer treatment. Metoclopramide and haloperidol are commonly used first-line and second-line agents, respectively, in palliative care settings5. Olanzapine has also shown promise in treating chronic nausea and vomiting in advanced cancer patients, significantly reducing nausea scores and improving quality of life without notable adverse effects10.
Vitamin B6 and Antiemetic Drugs
Vitamin B6 and other antiemetic drugs, such as Doxylamine-pyridoxine, have been used to treat mild to moderate nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. However, the evidence supporting their effectiveness is limited and inconsistent3. More high-quality research is needed to establish clear guidelines for their use.
Conclusion
The management of nausea involves a combination of conventional and complementary therapies. Ginger and acupuncture/acupressure show promise, particularly for pregnancy-related nausea, while pharmacological treatments like metoclopramide, haloperidol, and olanzapine are effective in palliative care and cancer-related nausea. Despite the potential benefits of CAM therapies, the current evidence is limited and often inconsistent, highlighting the need for more rigorous studies to validate these findings.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
The efficacy and safety of complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
CAM therapies, such as acupuncture, ginger, and acupressure, show potential in reducing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, with a safer alternative to conventional medicine or a placebo.
Meta-AnalysisSystematic Review of the Effectiveness of Complementary and Alternative Medicine on Nausea and Vomiting in Children With Cancer.
Complementary and alternative medicine shows insufficient evidence to effectively control nausea and vomiting in pediatric oncology patients due to high risk of bias.
Systematic ReviewInterventions for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy
There is a lack of high-quality evidence to support the effectiveness of various interventions for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy.
Systematic Review
Very Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedEffects of Complementary Medicine on Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review
Ginger and P6 acupressure are effective in reducing nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, with no adverse effects reported.
Systematic Review
Rigorous JournalPrescribing for nausea in palliative care: a cross-sectional national survey of Australian palliative medicine doctors.
Australian palliative medicine doctors primarily prescribe metoclopramide and haloperidol for nausea, with limited use of other nonpharmacological therapies and limited variation in antiemetic selection.
Observational StudyGinger in the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting: A Review
Ginger shows potential antiemetic effects against various emetogenic stimuli, but more research is needed for chemotherapy-induced nausea and motion sickness prevention.
Literature ReviewHighly CitedGinger (Zingiber officinale) and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a systematic literature review.
Ginger shows mixed results as an anti-chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting treatment, with three positive effects and two with caveats.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedGinger for treating nausea and vomiting: an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
Ginger is a safe and effective alternative for managing nausea and vomiting in cancer patients, postoperative patients, and pregnant women, but more high-quality meta-analyses are needed.
Meta-AnalysisThe preventive and relieving effects of ginger on postoperative nausea and vomiting: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Ginger can reduce postoperative nausea but shows no significant difference in postoperative vomiting, nausea, and antiemetic drug use.
Meta-AnalysisRigorous JournalOlanzapine for the Treatment of Advanced Cancer-Related Chronic Nausea and/or Vomiting: A Randomized Pilot Trial.
Olanzapine (5 mg/d) effectively reduces chronic nausea and vomiting in advanced cancer patients, improving appetite, sedation, fatigue, and overall quality-of-life.
RCTRigorous Journal