Migraines & Headaches Health Center
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Nausea Medications for Migraines and Headaches
Nausea and vomiting are symptoms which may accompany migraines and headaches in some people. Treating the migraine usually relieves the nausea. However, in some cases, the nausea and vomiting are debilitating or prevent a person from taking their migraine relief medications. In these cases, a nausea medication may be used to relieve symptoms.
Antinausea medications may be taken as pills or in severe cases as rectal suppositories.
These medications often have side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness. Learn more about specific antinausea medications below:
| Generic Name | Brand Name | Symptoms Relieved | Possible Side Effects |
| promethazine hydrochloride (available in tablet, syrup, injection, or suppository form) | Phenergan | Nausea, vomiting | Confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, gastrointestinal upset, excitability, nightmares, uncontrollable muscle movements, and lip smacking or chewing movements |
| chlorpromazine (available in suppository form) | Thorazine | Nausea, vomiting | Confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, gastrointestinal upset, excitability, nightmares, uncontrollable muscle movements, and lip smacking or chewing movements |
| prochlorperazine (available in tablet and suppository form) | Compazine | Nausea, vomiting | Confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, gastrointestinal upset, excitability, nightmares, uncontrollable muscle movements, and lip smacking or chewing movements |
| Trimetho-benzamide hydrochloride (available in capsule, injection, syrup, or suppository form) | Tigan | Nausea, vomiting | Hypotension, blurred vision, drowsiness, dizziness, disorientation, uncontrollable muscle movements, and lip smacking or chewing movements |
| metoclopramide hydrochloride (available in syrup, tablet, or injection form) | Reglan | Nausea, vomiting | Uncontrollable muscle movements, lip smacking or chewing movements, sensitivity to sunlight, aching of lower legs, diarrhea |
Reviewed by The Cleveland Clinic Neuroscience Center.
WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic![]()
Reviewed by
Jonathan L Gelfand, MD on January 23, 2008
Edited by
Lily Jung, MD on December 01, 2006
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