Nausea, Vomiting and Diarrhea: What to Drink, Which Medicines Help, and When You Need IV Fluids

For most bouts of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, the most important thing is replacing fluids. An oral rehydration solution, sipped slowly and often, works better than plain water, sports drinks or juice. Over-the-counter medicines like loperamide or bismuth can ease diarrhea in adults but aren't for everyone. If you can't keep fluids down for several hours, or you're getting dizzy, peeing very little or very weak, IV fluids and anti-nausea medicine can help quickly.

What to drink

• Oral rehydration solutions (sold in pharmacies as liquids, powders or ice pops) have the right balance of salt, sugar and water. They're the best choice, especially for children and older adults.
• Sports drinks are OK for healthy adults with mild symptoms, diluted half and half with water, but they have more sugar and less salt than you need.
• Broth adds salt and is gentle on the stomach.
• Avoid fruit juice, soda, energy drinks, alcohol and lots of caffeine, which can make diarrhea worse.

How to drink when you're vomiting

• Wait 15 to 30 minutes after vomiting
• Start with a teaspoon or a sip every few minutes
• If it stays down, slowly increase the amount
• Ice chips and ice pops count too

Big gulps tend to come straight back up.

Over-the-counter medicines

• Loperamide slows diarrhea in adults. Don't use it if you have a fever or blood in your stool, and don't give it to young children unless a clinician says so.
• Bismuth subsalicylate can ease diarrhea and an upset stomach in adults. It can turn your tongue and stool black. Don't give it to children or teens, or take it if you're allergic to aspirin or take a blood thinner.
• For nausea: motion sickness tablets help with car, air and sea sickness. Ginger may help mild nausea.
• Avoid anti-inflammatory pain relievers like ibuprofen on an empty, upset stomach.

What to eat

Once vomiting stops, start with small amounts of bland food: crackers, toast, rice, bananas, applesauce, potatoes and soup. Go back to a normal diet over a day or two. You don't need to fast, and children should keep breastfeeding or taking formula.

Signs of dehydration

• Peeing much less, or dark yellow urine
• Very dry mouth, no tears
• Dizziness or lightheadedness when standing
• A fast heartbeat
• Unusual tiredness or confusion
• In babies: fewer wet diapers, a sunken soft spot, crying without tears

When IV fluids help

If you can't keep fluids down or you're getting dehydrated, a clinician can give IV fluids and anti-nausea medicine, and most people feel much better within an hour or two. Older adults, young children, pregnant people and people with diabetes or kidney disease can get dehydrated faster, so get seen sooner. See our IV hydration page, and our posts on norovirus and food poisoning.

At an AfterOurs clinic, a standard self-pay visit is $175, and a self-pay in-clinic visit never costs more than $330. We contract with all major commercial and government plans, including Colorado Medicaid and Medicare. See our stomach bug page and the cost and insurance page.

Go to the ER or call 911 if there's blood in vomit or stool, vomit that's green or looks like coffee grounds, severe or constant belly pain, a stiff neck or severe headache, confusion or fainting, no urine for 8 hours or more, or a baby or young child who is very sleepy, floppy or hard to wake.

Where to find us

Four clinics across metro Denver, all ages welcome, se habla español:

• Hampden (Southeast Denver): 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Littleton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Thornton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Highlands: Mon–Fri 5–11 PM, Sat–Sun 8 AM–11 PM

Walk in, or book online.