Table of contents:
- Medicines to relieve symptoms of vomiting
- 1. Paracetamol
- 2. ORS
- 3. Anti-diarrheal drugs
- Loperamide
- Bismuth subsalicylate (pepto bismol)
- 4. Antibiotics
- 5. Probiotic supplements
- The vomiting drug is given according to the cause
Vomiting or gastroenteritis indicates a bacterial, viral, and parasitic infection in the digestive tract that causes a person to continue to vomit and have diarrhea. Generally, this disease affects children, but it does not rule out that adults are also affected. Fortunately, there are many medications available to relieve symptoms and speed up the healing process. So, what are the commonly used vomiting drugs?
Medicines to relieve symptoms of vomiting
Symptoms of vomiting such as fever accompanied by abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting can cause dehydration (lack of body fluids). The most vulnerable complications occur in children and the elderly.
Therefore, you should not underestimate this condition. Check with your doctor if you suspect you have symptoms of vomiting.
Some drug recommendations to relieve symptoms of vomiting include:
1. Paracetamol
Severe stomach pain can indicate an infection with bacteria, viruses, or parasites that cause vomiting. To relieve these symptoms, you can take paracetamol medication. Apart from relieving stomach pain, this drug can also reduce fever.
Paracetamol is generally safe for use of all ages, both children and the elderly. Use this vomiting drug when symptoms appear. If it gets better, you don't need to continue using the drug.
You may know that pain relievers can also use NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, or diclofenac.
Although they function the same, they can irritate the stomach lining in some people. Since people with vomiting have an infection in the gastrointestinal tract, it is feared that NSAIDs that can irritate the condition will worsen the condition. Therefore, drugs of this class should be avoided.
2. ORS
Dehydration, which is a complication of vomiting, can actually be avoided. One effective way is to return to replace lost body fluids immediately. However, it is not enough just to drink plain water. The reason is, water does not contain the minerals the body needs.
It would be better if you take ORS. ORS is a solution made from a mixture of water, sugar and salt. You can get this vomiting drug from pharmacies or drug stores.
However, you can also make ORS yourself at home. You can make this vomiting drug with the following steps:
- Provide 1 liter of water
- Add 3/4 teaspoon table salt
- Mix 2 tablespoons of sugar and mix well
3. Anti-diarrheal drugs
Infection makes people affected by vomiting, will experience continued defecation with watery feces. This diarrhea will certainly make you go back and forth to the bathroom.
Fortunately, you can relieve the symptoms of vomiting with anti-diarrheal drugs. Examples of diarrhea medications that you can choose from are:
Loperamide
Loperamide is a drug commonly used to treat diarrhea. The way this drug works is to reduce the flow of fluids and electrolytes into the intestines by slowing down bowel movements.
Medicines for diarrhea due to vomiting are available in tablet, capsule, and solution form. Usually, loperamide is taken after you have passed your stool, but should not exceed the amount listed on the label. Remember, this medicine should not be given to children under 2 years of age.
Side effects that may be felt after taking this vomiting medicine are body weakness and constipation.
Bismuth subsalicylate (pepto bismol)
Bismuth subsalicylate is used to treat diarrhea and stomach upset. However, this medication should only be used by adults and children. This medicine for vomiting should not be used by pregnant women and nursing mothers because it has the risk of interfering with fetal development and flowing into breast milk.
The way it works is to reduce the flow of fluids and electrolytes into the intestines, inflammation, and kill organisms that cause diarrhea. A side effect that may occur after using this medicine is ringing in the ears.
4. Antibiotics
One of the causes of vomiting is bacteria, one of which is Escherichia coli. If the cause is bacteria, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics. However, if the cause is a virus, antibiotics are not needed.
Antibiotics work by inhibiting the growth of bacteria and killing them so that the infection does not continue to spread. Several types of antibiotics to treat vomiting include:
- Doxycycline. Doxycycline is taken once or twice a day and must be accompanied by a glass of water. Possible side effects include dry mouth, nausea and vomiting.
- Ceftriaxone. Ceftriaxone is available in powder form which needs to be mixed with water when drunk. Possible side effects include weakness and shortness of breath.
- Ampicillin. Ampicillin is available in tablet form and a liquid solution that requires injection. Side effects that may occur are nausea, vomiting, and a rash on the skin.
5. Probiotic supplements
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website states that probiotic supplements are included in the list of drugs for vomiting. However, only when the doctor prescribes it.
Probiotic supplements contain bacteria that are similar to the good bacteria in the gut. The presence of these good bacteria will certainly improve the health of the digestive system so that the recovery process of the intestine from infection is faster.
The vomiting drug is given according to the cause
You can get the drugs mentioned above at pharmacies and drug stores, either with or without a doctor's prescription. In fact, there are also things that you can make yourself with ingredients at home and you can use them as medicine for first aid.
You need to know that vomiting drugs should not be taken randomly. The reason is, if the bacteria are the cause, ordinary drugs will not be effective enough to overcome the symptoms. In fact, his condition might get worse.
Conversely, using antibiotics even though the virus is the cause, will cause other health problems, namely antibiotic resistance.
This condition indicates that the bacteria has become resistant to antibiotics so that the treatment will not be effective. That is why, it would be better if you check with your doctor first to get the right treatment.
In addition to taking vomiting drugs, you are also required to take additional care. Eat foods that are soft and don't irritate the intestines, for example porridge without coconut milk, ripe bananas, and juiced apples. Drink lots of water so that dehydration does not occur.
Don't forget, get enough rest to boost the immune system so that the body recovers from infection.
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