How to Stop Nausea from Antipsychotics?

October 10, 2025 •

3 min read

Approximately 12–16% of patients taking the antipsychotic lurasidone experience nausea, highlighting that this side effect is a common challenge with many antipsychotic medications. For those beginning a new treatment, understanding how to stop nausea from antipsychotics is key to improving medication adherence and overall well-being.

Quick Summary

Manage antipsychotic-related nausea with proven strategies like adjusting medication timing, dietary changes, and exploring alternative formulations or antiemetics with your doctor.

Key Points

Start Low and Go Slow: Gradual dose increases help the body adjust and can reduce initial nausea.
Take with Food: Many antipsychotics, especially lurasidone and ziprasidone, require a meal for proper absorption and to minimize stomach irritation.
Adjust Medication Timing: Taking the dose at bedtime may allow you to sleep through the worst of the nausea.
Leverage Dietary Changes: Small, frequent meals and bland foods can help, while spicy or fatty foods should be avoided.
Consider Alternative Formulations: Extended-release tablets or orally disintegrating tablets can offer a smoother drug delivery profile and reduce nausea.
Discuss Medical Options with Your Doctor: Over-the-counter antiemetics or prescription medications like ondansetron can be effective, but require a doctor's guidance.
Don't Stop Abruptly: Never stop taking your medication suddenly without a doctor's supervision, as this can be dangerous.

Why Antipsychotics Cause Nausea

Nausea as a side effect of antipsychotic medication is typically related to how these drugs interact with neurotransmitter systems in the body. Both dopamine and serotonin, which are involved in mood and psychosis, also play roles in controlling the body's vomiting reflex.

Dopamine Antagonism: Many antipsychotics block dopamine receptors in the brain. These receptors are found in areas that regulate nausea and vomiting, and blocking them can sometimes induce or reduce nausea.
Serotonin Activity: Atypical antipsychotics often influence serotonin receptors. Increased serotonin activity, potentially from gastrointestinal irritation, can trigger nausea via 5-HT3 receptors.
Gastrointestinal Irritation: The medication itself can sometimes irritate the digestive system, leading to stomach upset.

Immediate Relief: Dietary and Behavioral Adjustments

Simple changes in diet and behavior can often help manage nausea, particularly in the initial weeks of treatment as your body adapts.

Practical Dietary Tips

Eat Smaller, Frequent Meals: This helps prevent the stomach from becoming too full, reducing digestive discomfort.
Take with Food: Taking medication with food can minimize stomach upset. Some antipsychotics, like lurasidone (Latuda) and ziprasidone (Geodon), specifically require a substantial meal for proper absorption and to reduce nausea.
Choose Bland Foods: Avoid foods that are spicy, greasy, fried, or very sweet, as they can worsen nausea. Bland options like the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) are generally better tolerated.
Stay Hydrated: Drink clear, cool fluids such as water or ginger ale to prevent dehydration, which can intensify nausea.
Ginger and Peppermint: Ginger may help reduce nausea and is available in various forms. Peppermint can also offer some relief.

Strategic Behavioral Adjustments

Adjust Medication Timing: If morning doses cause nausea, discuss taking the medication at bedtime with your doctor to potentially sleep through the side effects.
Acupressure: Applying pressure to the P6 point on the inner wrist may help with nausea for some individuals.
Avoid Strong Odors: Food smells can trigger nausea. Eating cooler or room-temperature foods can help minimize this.

Medical Interventions for Persistent Nausea

If home remedies are not sufficient, talk to your doctor about medical options. It is crucial to never stop or change your medication dosage without consulting a healthcare professional.

Prescription Antiemetics

Serotonin Antagonists: Medications like ondansetron (Zofran) block serotonin receptors and are effective for nausea, often with less sedation.
Dopamine Antagonists: Promethazine (Phenergan) is an antihistamine that also blocks dopamine receptors. While it can help with nausea, it may cause sedation and is often a second choice due to potential interactions with antipsychotics.

Altering the Antipsychotic

Extended-Release (XR) Formulations: XR versions of some medications can release the drug more slowly, potentially reducing stomach irritation and side effects.
Orally Disintegrating Tablets (ODTs): These tablets dissolve in the mouth and bypass the stomach, which can be useful if gastric irritation is the issue. ODTs are available for some antipsychotics.
Dosage Adjustment or Switching Medications: If nausea continues, your doctor might consider lowering the dose or switching to a different antipsychotic medication with a lower likelihood of causing nausea.

Comparison of Nausea Management Strategies


Strategy	Speed of Relief	Long-Term Suitability	Primary Mechanism	Considerations
Dietary Adjustments	Gradual	Excellent	Reduces gastric irritation	Effective for mild to moderate nausea. Requires consistent effort.
Medication Timing	Immediate (on next dose)	Excellent	Manages timing of side effects	Requires doctor approval. May not eliminate nausea entirely.
Ginger / Peppermint	Varies (often quick)	Good	Anti-inflammatory, serotonin blocking	Natural remedy. Check for potential interactions with other medications.
Prescription Antiemetic (Ondansetron)	Fast	Good	5-HT3 receptor blockade	Effective, but can cause constipation. Discuss with your doctor.
Extended-Release (XR) or ODT	Long-term	Excellent	Smoother drug delivery, bypasses stomach	Not available for all medications. Requires doctor consultation.
Dose/Medication Change	Long-term	Excellent	Adjusts core pharmacology	Last resort, as it requires a new titration period. Must be managed by a doctor.

Conclusion

Managing nausea caused by antipsychotic medication is important for maintaining treatment adherence and quality of life. Simple strategies like dietary changes and adjusting when you take your medication can often provide relief. If nausea persists, it's essential to consult your doctor to discuss other medical options, such as anti-nausea medications, alternative formulations, or adjusting your dosage. Open communication with your doctor is key to finding the best approach for your specific needs. For additional information on managing medication side effects, you may find resources at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

Frequently Asked Questions

Nausea from antipsychotics typically occurs early in treatment and may subside as your body adjusts to the medication, often within a few weeks. However, if it persists or worsens, consult your doctor.

Yes, taking your medication at a different time, such as at night before bed, can help you sleep through the period of peak nausea. Always get approval from your doctor before changing your medication schedule.

Yes. Eating bland foods like crackers, toast, rice, and bananas can help. It's also beneficial to eat small, frequent meals and avoid fatty, greasy, or spicy foods.

Ginger can be an effective natural remedy for various types of nausea, including medication-induced. It can be consumed in tea, capsules, or ale. Discuss using it with your doctor to ensure it doesn't interact with other medications.

Ondansetron is a prescription anti-nausea medication that blocks specific serotonin receptors involved in the vomiting reflex. It can be an effective option for persistent nausea, but should only be taken with a doctor's recommendation.

You should never stop taking your medication abruptly without consulting your doctor. Suddenly stopping can be dangerous and lead to a return of symptoms. Discuss your side effects with a healthcare provider who can help manage them safely.

If other strategies are unsuccessful, a doctor may consider a dose reduction, switching to an alternative antipsychotic with a different side effect profile, or exploring different formulations like extended-release tablets.