Managing Side Effects: Nausea

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The content provided in this Substack post is for entertainment and informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the writer and should not be taken as definitive or authoritative. Readers should not rely solely on the information provided in this post to make decisions about patient care. Instead, use this content as a starting point for further research and consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to treatment or medication regimens.

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Experiencing nausea is a common hurdle for those taking psychiatric medications. In fact, it's among the primary reasons many choose to stop their treatment. But there are strategies to manage it.

Prioritizing Prevention:

• Eating First: To mitigate he risk of nausea, it’s advisable take potentially nauseating medications after a meal.

• Start Low & Go Slow: A more gradual introduction to the full dose can help the body adjust. For example, in studies with duloxetine, patients who slowly transitioned to the therapeutic dose over a week experienced fewer instances of nausea than those who started on the full dose immediately.

• Dividing Doses: For medications that aren't sustained-release preparations, splitting doses can be beneficial. Even if splitting isn't necessary based on the drug's duration of action, it can help in reducing nausea.

• Opting for Sustained-Release Versions: These formulations gradually release the active ingredient in the gastrointestinal tract, which often result in a reduced incidence of nausea.

Natural Solutions:

• Ginger Capsules: Ginger, known for its anti-nausea properties in various conditions, can be consumed as capsules. However, users should be cautious about the dosage and be aware of potential side effects like heartburn or bleeding issues.

• Peppermint: The exact mechanism by which mint alleviates nausea is not entirely understood. However, it's believed that the menthol in mint can relax the gastric muscles and reduce the physical symptoms of nausea.

Medicinal Approaches: