How to Stop Vomiting: What Actually Works (and When to See a Doctor)

You can't stop throwing up, you feel miserable, and you just want it to end. Vomiting is exhausting and a little frightening, but in most cases it's your body clearing out something it doesn't want, and it settles on its own with the right care at home.

The fastest, safest way to start feeling better is not to force food or chug water. It's to rehydrate slowly and give your stomach a chance to calm down. Here's exactly how to do that, what medicines can help, and the warning signs that mean it's time to call a doctor.

How do I stop vomiting fast?

The single most important step is rehydration done slowly. Take small sips of clear liquids often, spread over a couple of hours, rather than drinking a large amount at once. Drinking too much too fast can actually trigger more vomiting, so a few sips every few minutes is the goal.

Pair fluids with rest. Lie still, avoid strong smells, and don't try to eat until the worst has passed. Vomiting is a symptom, not a disease, so the right approach depends on what's causing it, but for the common stomach bug or upset stomach, fluids plus rest are the foundation.

• Sip clear liquids (water, broth, diluted juice, electrolyte drinks) a little at a time
• Don't gulp large amounts at once, which can restart vomiting
• Rest and avoid strong odors, screens, or sudden movement
• Wait until vomiting eases before reintroducing any food

What can I drink to rehydrate?

Clear fluids are easiest on an unsettled stomach. For adults, water, clear broth, and oral electrolyte drinks all work, taken in small, frequent sips.

For children, an oral rehydration solution such as Pedialyte, Naturalyte, Infalyte, or CeraLyte is recommended to replace both fluids and electrolytes. Plain water alone isn't enough to replace significant losses, because it doesn't restore the salts the body loses through vomiting and diarrhea. Give it in small amounts, as directed on the package.

What medicine helps stop vomiting?

Over-the-counter options can help settle an upset stomach. Products containing bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate) may ease nausea and vomiting in adults. Medicines that suppress stomach acid can also help in some cases.

For more severe or persistent vomiting, a doctor may prescribe an antiemetic such as ondansetron (Zofran) or promethazine (Phenergan). The evidence for ondansetron in children is strong. A Cochrane systematic review of randomized trials in children and adolescents under 18 years found that oral ondansetron significantly increased the proportion who stopped vomiting versus placebo, with a number needed to treat of 4, and it reduced the need for IV fluids and hospital admission. There's a tradeoff, though: in three of the trials, oral ondansetron increased episodes of diarrhea. Don't give children prescription anti-nausea medicine without a clinician's guidance, and never exceed labeled dosing on OTC products.

What should I eat after vomiting stops?

Once vomiting has settled and you can keep liquids down, you don't need a special restricted diet to recover. Eat what appeals to you, and start gently. Many people find bland, easy-to-digest foods are the most comfortable first bites, but the most important thing is simply easing back in rather than following a strict food list.

Build back up gradually over the next day or so. If a food brings the nausea back, pause and return to clear fluids for a while before trying again. The optional foods below are common gentle choices, not a required regimen.

• Soda crackers and dry toast
• Gelatin and bananas
• Applesauce and rice
• Plain chicken
• Avoid greasy, spicy, very sweet, or heavy foods until you feel steady

What's causing my vomiting?

Vomiting is a symptom with many causes. A very common one is viral gastroenteritis, often called the stomach flu, though it has nothing to do with influenza. Norovirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in the U.S., causing an estimated 19 to 21 million illnesses, about 465,000 emergency department visits, and about 109,000 hospitalizations each year. It spreads easily through infected people and contaminated food or water, so frequent handwashing is key to avoiding it.

Other causes include food poisoning, motion sickness, pregnancy (morning sickness), and recurrent patterns like cyclic vomiting syndrome. Because the cause shapes the best treatment, ongoing or unexplained vomiting is worth discussing with a clinician rather than just treating the symptom.

When should I see a doctor?

Most short-lived vomiting clears up at home, but some situations need medical care. Get checked promptly if you notice signs of dehydration or if vomiting won't stop.

Dehydration is the main danger, especially in young children, older adults, and anyone who can't keep fluids down. Don't wait it out if these warning signs appear, and treat the red-flag symptoms at the bottom of this list as a reason to seek emergency care.

• Signs of dehydration (very dark urine, dizziness, dry mouth, no tears, sunken eyes)
• Vomiting that lasts more than 1 to 2 days
• Blood in the vomit, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• High fever
• Inability to keep any liquids down
• Severe abdominal pain, a stiff neck, confusion, or a severe headache (call 911 or go to the ER)