Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. New drugs and combinations of drugs can effectively treat and control nausea and vomiting. You should not have to vomit and should feel as little nausea as possible.
Taking these drugs supports the effectiveness of cancer therapy. They should be taken preventively, even if you feel well. Nausea can last for several days after cancer treatment or may only occur then. It is therefore important to take the prescribed drugs for nausea and vomiting consistently.
If you often vomit, you can lose a lot of fluid (dehydration) and your body can’t get the nutrients it needs. This can delay or stop your cancer treatments from working. Medications for nausea and vomiting are chosen based on your situation. Let the treatment team know if you get travel sick, had morning sickness when you were pregnant, or feel anxious.
If you lose weight and still feel sick despite taking medication, contact your treatment team. If necessary, other medications or combinations can be used.
If you feel sick before starting therapy, relaxation exercises may help. You can find some examples under "Tips".