Your Anti-Nausea Arsenal
- Anti-nausea medications are part of the chemotherapy prescription for ovarian cancer patients
- Patients can also take anti-nausea medications at home, before and after chemotherapy
- Patients should check in with their doctors if they’re experiencing nausea, because this side effect can usually be well-managed
Chemotherapy attacks all dividing cells, whether they’re cancerous or not. When chemotherapy affects the rapidly-dividing cells in the lining of the stomach, the resulting cellular havoc in the gastrointestinal tract can lead to side effects such as nausea and vomiting. But doctors can help patients mitigate the hit with a variety of medications before, during, and after treatment.
Read MoreDoctors have several anti-nausea medications at their disposal and recent research suggests that combinations are more effective than a single agent. Common anti-nausea medications include:
Most of these anti-nausea medications last for more than eight hours. In fact, one of the infusions that’s commonly used reduces the degree of nausea for up to three days.
Complementary approaches may also be helpful. A few favorites:
- Ginger: Studies consistently show that ginger helps alleviate chemotherapy-induced nausea. The powerful herb appears to have an anti-spasmodic effect in the gut. Not a fan of raw ginger? Suck on ginger candy, sip ginger ale, or make a steaming cup of ginger tea.
- Pressure bracelets: at your local pharmacy, these bracelets provide consistent pressure on a particular acupressure point on the wrist to reduce nausea.
- Deep breathing: Moving air in and out of your lungs with a few deep breaths can help relieve nausea, particularly if you pair deep breathing exercises with meditation. It can also help you relax and release stress and anxiety.
“Nausea is one of the symptoms doctors like to monitor with frequent clinic check-ins,” Dr. Urban says. “In the era of COVID-19, we can do these visits either in person or by telehealth or phone visits to ensure nausea is not occurring.”
Side Effects Minimized
Today’s chemotherapy regimens are much more tolerable than protocols from decades past and side effects tend to resolve after you complete treatment. Doctors also deliver chemotherapy in cycles with built-in rest periods to minimize side effects, such as:
- Changes in taste
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea and abdominal cramping
- Hair loss
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Mouth sores
- Neuropathy (numbness, tingling or pain in the hands and feet)
It’s important to keep your doctor informed about how you’re tolerating treatment. Some doctors advise keeping a daily log. The reason: There are a number of medications available to help manage things like nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.
“If nausea does occur despite the medications we prescribe, there are other agents we can add, such as steroids” Dr. Urban says. If you live in a state where medical marijuana is available, that can be an option, too. In addition to prescribing additional drugs, your doctor may also choose to modify your treatment regimen. In every case, conversations with your health care team and careful planning can help you navigate the experience with the greatest ease.
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