Treatment
Date: 2001-05-04

Question:
I am experiencing nausea and vomiting during my pregnancy (I am 8 weeks) and it is affecting my whole life. I have been put on Diclectin 4 times a day and it doesn't seem to be helping much. I am still vomiting between 15 and 20 times a day. I don't know what to do, I can't live this way much longer. Are there any alternatives?

Answer:
Talk to your doctor about using a combination of gravol and Diclectin. Since Diclectin is a delayed release medication, some women may vomit the pill before it has had a chance to take effect. In such cases, we usually recommend that the patient use a 50 mg gravol suppository, one-half hour before taking her prescribed dose of Diclectin.

This combined approach usually stops the vomiting long enough to let the Diclectin work. For women with severe NVP, doctors usually recommend 4 Diclectin pills per day -- 2 at bedtime, 1 first thing in the morning, and 1 in the early afternoon. The daily dose of gravol should not exceed 200 mg. Gravol and Diclectin are known to be safe, and not to increase the base line risk for malformation that is present in all pregnancies. Should you not be able to control your symptoms and feel dehydrated, go to the hospital emergency if your doctor cannot be reached. The hospital will be able to provide IV fluid and treatment, if necessary.