Cancer chemotherapy can cause nausea and vomiting. Learn how to prevent these side effects.
Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of chemotherapy treatment for cancer. But they aren't inevitable — newer nausea and vomiting treatments can help prevent these side effects. If you're considering chemotherapy, you and your doctor can take steps to prevent or decrease nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy and to make you more comfortable during your cancer treatment.
Who's at risk of nausea and vomiting during and after chemotherapy?
Whether you'll experience nausea and vomiting as a result of chemotherapy depends on what chemotherapy drugs you receive, whether you receive other cancer treatments, such as radiation, during your chemotherapy treatment, and whether you've experienced nausea and vomiting in the past.
Chemotherapy drugs that cause nausea and vomiting
Certain chemotherapy drugs are more likely to cause nausea and vomiting than are others. If you're receiving one of these chemotherapy drugs, preventive measures are available to help you avoid these side effects.
Whether a drug will cause nausea and vomiting also depends on the dosage you receive. Some drugs may be less likely to cause side effects at lower dosages. Ask your doctor whether your particular treatment is likely to cause nausea and vomiting.
Personal factors that may increase your risk
Not everyone reacts to treatment in the same way. Certain factors may make you more vulnerable to treatment-related nausea and vomiting. You may be more vulnerable if one or more of the following apply to you:
- You're a woman.
- You're younger than 50.
- You've experienced nausea and vomiting with previous treatments, or you have a history of motion sickness.
- You have a high level of anxiety.
- You experienced morning sickness during pregnancy.
In addition, if you expect that your treatment will cause nausea and vomiting, there's a chance that it will. You can become so convinced that nausea and vomiting will occur that it does occur. This might happen if you think, like many people do, that all cancer treatments cause these side effects, which isn't true. Your doctor can tell you specifically whether the treatment you'll receive is likely to cause nausea and vomiting.
How do doctors prevent nausea and vomiting?
Most people undergoing chemotherapy receive anti-nausea (anti-emetic) drugs to prevent nausea and vomiting. These drugs, given alone or in combination, can be given orally or intravenously (IV). Your doctor decides which to use based on the treatment you're receiving.
Anti-nausea medications are typically given before treatment begins and on a scheduled basis for several hours or days after treatment. You may receive additional medications if you develop nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy.
Your doctor determines which anti-nausea medications to use based on your specific situation, for example, what type of chemotherapy drugs you're receiving. If your chemotherapy is likely to cause nausea and vomiting, commonly used anti-nausea medications include:
- Ondansetron (Zofran)
- Dolasetron (Anzemet)
- Granisetron (Kytril)
- Palonosetron (Aloxi)
- Dexamethasone (Decadron)
- Prochlorperazine
- Metoclopramide (Reglan)
- Haloperidol
- Lorazepam (Ativan)
Doctors take this proactive approach to prevent nausea and vomiting because these side effects can be difficult to control once they begin. Nausea and vomiting can make you feel miserable, add to the fatigue and distress you may already feel, and make you reluctant to stick to your treatment schedule. If you're unsure about taking anti-nausea medication when you aren't feeling nauseous, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of these drugs.
What additional measures can you take to prevent nausea and vomiting?
You can take steps to reduce your risk of nausea and vomiting. For example:
- Eat small meals. Stagger small meals throughout the day rather than eating fewer, larger meals. If possible, don't skip meals. Eating a light meal a few hours before treatment also may help.
- Eat what appeals to you. It's best, however, to avoid foods that are sweet, fried or fatty. In addition, cool foods may give off less-bothersome odors. Cook and freeze meals in advance of treatment to avoid cooking when you're not feeling well. Or have someone else cook for you.
- Drink lots of fluids. Try cool beverages such as water, unsweetened fruit juices, tea or ginger ale that's lost its carbonation. It may help to drink small amounts throughout the day, rather than larger amounts less frequently. Try to drink about 48 ounces each day.
- Avoid unpleasant smells. Pay attention to what smells trigger nausea for you. For some, a specific smell, such as the smell of something frying or a greasy smell may cause nausea. Other people may experience nausea when smelling any strong odor. Limit exposure to unpleasant smells. Fresh air may help.
- Make yourself comfortable. After eating, rest, but don't lie flat for a couple of hours. Try wearing loosefitting clothing and keeping yourself distracted.
- Use relaxation techniques. Examples include meditation and deep breathing.
These self-care measures may help you prevent nausea and vomiting, but they can't take the place of anti-nausea medications. Take your anti-nausea medications as directed by your doctor.
If you begin to feel nauseous despite the medications, call your doctor. Treatments may include medications, such as those used to prevent nausea and vomiting, though your individual treatment will depend on what's causing your signs and symptoms.
Last Updated: 05/23/2007
