When you feel uneasy in the stomach and have the urge to vomit, then it is called as nausea whereas vomiting is the emptying of the contents of the stomach voluntarily or involuntarily. Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of conditions like motion sickness, food poisoning, blocked intestine, appendicitis, brain injury, kidney disease, liver disorder or heart disease to name a few. To control the symptoms of nausea and vomiting antiemetics are prescribed by the doctor or are available as over the counter (OTC) medications.
OTC antiemetic drugs
Over the counter drugs (OTC) are drugs that can be taken without doctor’s prescription. There are many antiemetic drugs that can be taken over the counter which relieve symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Antiemetic like Bismuth subsalicylate (pepto Bismol) is used to treat nausea that occurs due to gastroenteritis or stomach flu. This medication can also be used to treat diarrhea. The antihistamine that is used to treat nausea due to motion sickness is meclizine hydrochloride (Dramamine less drowsy) and dimenhydrinate (Dramamine).
Antihistamines act by blocking messages to the part in the brain that controls sensation of vomiting and nausea. It is recommended to take them before you have motion sickness problem. Bismuth subsalicylate does not affect the lining of the stomach, which usually gets irritated with intake of certain medicines. It also reduces the inflammation of the intestine.
Side effects
People who have health problems or who are older adults have side effects from antiemetic drugs. The side effects due to bismuth subsalicylate are constipation, tinnitus or ringing sound in the ears and tongue and stools become darkened. Antihistamines make you feel drowsy and this may affect your work and also dry your eyes and mouth. The drowsy effect of antihistamines increases when alcohol is consumed.
Contraindications
Antiemetic drug like bismuth subsalicylate should not be taken if you are allergic to salicylate products or aspirin. It should be avoided in children who are 12 years and younger, and also in teenagers between 12 years and 18 years of age who have chicken pox or flu, as it may result in Reye’s syndrome which is a serious illness that can affect liver and brain. If you are suffering from kidney disease, ulcer or bloody stools it is important to tell your doctor before taking antiemetics. You must consult your doctor before taking the antiemetic if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Interaction with other drugs
The antiemetic bismuth subsalicylate can cause side effects and also affect the proper working of other drugs when they are taken with it.
Bismuth subsalicylate can interact with other drugs that are used to treat arthritis, diabetes, gout and blood thinning drugs. When you are taking tetracycline antibiotics like doxycycline (Vibramycin, Dorix), demeclocycline, minocycline ( minocin, dynacin) and sumycin, you must take them 3 hours after or 1 hour before taking bismuth subsalicylate. You must let your doctor know if you are taking any other medications, vitamin supplements, herbal supplements or any nutritional supplements. You must make sure that you do not take any drugs containing salicylate like aspirin when you are taking bismuth subsalicylate as it will become double dose of salicylate. Similarly, when you are taking antihistamines you must make sure that you do not take sleeping pills, muscle relaxants or other sedatives as antihistamines have a drowsy effect and you will be adding to it. Medications that are used for allergy and cold have antihistamines. Taking another antihistamine will only increase the dosage. If you have any one of the conditions like high blood pressure, thyroid disease, asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, glaucoma, urinating trouble or thyroid problem, you need to consult your doctor before taking any antihistamine to avoid double dosage and side effects.
Drug safety
It is important that you store all your medications out of reach of children and away from heat. You must check for the expiry date before taking any medication. If you find that the medications have expired, you must dispose them immediately. You can ask your local pharmacist regarding proper disposal methods.
