Over the counter medicine for stomach pain and vomiting

• Symptoms
  • What Are Symptoms of My Stomach Hurting?
• Causes
  • What Causes My Stomach to Hurt?
• Diagnosis
  • How Is Stomach Pain Diagnosed?
• Guide
  • How Do I Make My Stomach Stop Hurting? Topic Guide

Stomach pain treatments and home remedies often include drinking plenty of fluids, consuming clear liquids, the BRAT diet, and OTC medications.

Stomach pain, or abdominal pain, can range from bloating and indigestion to severe and sharp, stabbing pain. 

There is no single treatment to make your stomach stop hurting. Treatment to make your stomach stop hurting varies widely and depends on the specific cause.

21 Home Remedies & OTC Treatments for Stomach Pain

Most of the time, an upset stomach can be treated at home by:

• Drinking plenty of fluids so urine is a pale yellow or clear color
• Consuming clear liquids in frequent, small amounts
• If vomiting occurs, start with small sips of water or sucking on ice chips and if these are well tolerated, try:
  • Diluted juices such as apple, grape, cherry, or cranberry (avoid citrus juices)
  • Sports drinks
  • Clear, non-caffeinated sodas such as ginger ale, 7-Up, or Sprite 
  • Clear soup broth or bouillon
  • Popsicles
  • Decaffeinated tea
• If fluids are tolerated, bland solid foods may be slowly added, such as the BRAT diet: 
  • Bananas
  • Rice, white
  • Applesauce
  • Toast, plain or with only jelly or honey if desired
• Avoid:
  • Spicy foods
  • Fatty or greasy foods
  • Dairy products
  • Whole grains 
  • Raw vegetables
  • Caffeine
  • Alcohol

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications may help relieve certain symptoms associated with an upset tummy. Talk to your doctor to determine which medicine might be indicated in your situation. 

• Simethicone (Gas-X, Mylanta) for gas and bloating
• Antacids or acid reducers (Pepcid, Zantac) for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Loperamide (Imodium) or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) for diarrhea
• Stool softeners or laxatives for constipation
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve) for cramping pain 
• If your stomach hurting is caused by a specific medical problem, such as an ulcer, treatments for that problem can help relieve symptoms. 

What Are Symptoms of My Stomach Hurting?

When your stomach hurts, symptoms depend on the cause.

Pain may be dull or sharp, intermittent or constant, mild or severe. Your stomach may hurt in any part of the abdomen, and may also radiate to other areas such as the back, flank, or shoulder.

Symptoms that may accompany stomach pain may include: 

• Nausea
• Vomiting (may include vomiting blood)
• Sweating
• Feeling unwell (malaise)
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal distention/bloating
• Indigestion/heartburn
• Feeling of fullness
• Weight loss
• Abdominal tenderness
• Urinary problems
• Gas (flatulence)
• Altered bowel habits
• Pelvic pain

If you experience any of the following symptoms when your stomach hurts, see a doctor because these may be a sign of a more serious condition:

• Pain is severe and lasts more than an hour or comes and goes for more than 24 hours
• Pain starts suddenly
• Bloody bowel movements
• Black, tarry stool
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Inability to eat or drink for several hours
• Fever greater than 102°f (39°c)
• Weight loss without trying 
• Loss of appetite
• Feeling a lump in the abdomen

QUESTION

How Is Stomach Pain Diagnosed?

Diagnosing the reason your stomach hurts begins with a history and physical exam. Depending on the symptoms and the location of the pain, the physical exam may involve: 

• Abdominal exam
• Rectal exam
• Pelvic exam

Blood tests used to help diagnose the cause of stomach pain include:

• Complete blood count (CBC) with differential
• Electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and glucose
• Aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin
• Lipase and/or amylase
• Calcium
• Aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin
• Serum iron, total iron binding capacity, and ferritin
• Anti-tissue transglutaminase
• Pregnancy testing for women

Imaging tests used to help diagnose the cause of stomach pain include:

• Ultrasound
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; including magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography)
• Endoscopy
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography 

Other tests used to help diagnose the cause of stomach pain may include:

• Urine tests
• Stool tests
• Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG)

From

Reviewed on 1/31/2022

References

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/causes-of-abdominal-pain-in-adults?search=Stomach%20Pain&source=search_result&selectedTitle=4~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=4

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/evaluation-of-the-adult-with-abdominal-pain?search=Stomach%20Pain&source=search_result&selectedTitle=5~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=5

https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/symptoms/abdominal-pain

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/stomach-ache-and-stomach-upset-the-basics?search=upset%20stomach&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1

https://www.uhs.wisc.edu/medical/upset-stomach/