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

'Portions of this page © The Cleveland Clinic 2000-2004

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Learn How TOPAMAX Can Help from Patients Who Have Been There

Important Safety Information | Prescribing Information

TOPAMAX is approved for migraine prevention in adults only.
TOPAMAX is not used to stop a migraine after it starts.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Serious risks associated with TOPAMAX include lowered bicarbonate levels in the blood resulting in an increase in the acidity of the blood (metabolic acidosis). Symptoms could include hyperventilation (rapid, deep breathing), tiredness, loss of appetite, irregular heartbeat or changes in the level of alertness. Call your doctor immediately if you get these symptoms. Your doctor may want to do simple blood tests. Chronic, untreated metabolic acidosis may increase the risk for kidney stones or bone disease.

Other serious risks include decreased sweating, increased body temperature, kidney stones, sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and increased eye pressure (glaucoma). Call your doctor immediately if you have any decrease in vision or eye pain. These problems can lead to blindness if not treated right away.

More common side effects are tingling in arms and legs, loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea, diarrhea, taste change and weight loss.

Tell your doctor about other medications you take. Please see full U.S. Prescribing Information.

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