Nausea and Vomiting in Early Pregnancy

Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy is common and severe cases called hyperemesis gravidarum occur in 3% of pregnant women. What is a safe remedy for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy? An effective anti-nausea medication called Ondansetron, better known as Zofran, has been used for decades. Earlier studies suggested that taking Ondansetron during early pregnancy may be associated with cardiac and other major malformations in children exposed in utero. A recent cohort study of 1.8 million pregnancies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (2018;320(23):2429-2437) found that Ondansetron was not associated with cardiac malformations in exposed  infants. There was, however, a small increased risk of oral clefts. Safer medications such as Diclegis should be used as first line therapy for women experiencing nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Ondansetron should be reserved for intractable cases but only after weighing the risks and benefits of such therapy.

It is best to consult with your doctor for your medical concerns. We are here to help and answer any questions you may have. Please click contact us!

For more information on nausea and pregnancy, please see the additional blog entries:
How to Manage Morning Sickness
What Can I Take for GI Complaints During Infertility Treatment and When Pregnant?
Smoking Marijuana During Pregnancy