How to Take Your — Anti-Sickness Medicines Properly
Taking anti-sickness tablets on schedule — not just when you feel sick — is what keeps nausea under control during chemotherapy. Most people are not told this clearly enough, which is why the tablets sometimes seem not to work.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Owais Mohammed, Medical Oncologist · Last reviewed September 2026
- Start before nausea arrives — Anti-sickness medicines prevent nausea better than they stop it once it has started.
- Take them on schedule — Regular doses are more effective than taking them only when you already feel sick.
- Finish the full course — Stopping early because you feel well is the most common reason nausea breaks through.
- Vomiting needs same-day contact — If you cannot keep fluids down or the tablets are not working, call your team today.
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Anti-sickness tablets on chemotherapy work best when taken on a regular schedule — not just when you feel sick. Your team will tell you when to take the first dose and how often to continue. Taking them at the right time, even when you feel well, is what keeps nausea under control.
When should you take the first dose?
Take your first dose at the time your team told you — usually before your chemotherapy begins, not after nausea has already started.
Anti-sickness medicines prevent nausea more reliably than they stop it once it has arrived. Waiting until you feel sick makes the medicine harder to work.
The right timing depends on which chemotherapy you are receiving and how likely it is to cause nausea. Follow the schedule you were given, even if you feel completely well when the time comes.
Should you take them regularly or only when you feel sick?
Take them regularly, on the schedule your team has set — not only when nausea arrives.
Anti-sickness medicines work by keeping the signals that trigger nausea suppressed in advance. If you wait until you feel sick, those signals have already built up to a level that is harder to control.
Stopping the tablets early because you feel well is the most common reason nausea breaks through mid-cycle. Feeling well is a sign the medicine is working, not a reason to stop.
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How to take your anti-sickness tablets correctly
- Take the first dose at the time your team told you, even if you feel well
- Continue taking them for all the days prescribed, including days you feel fine
- Swallow each tablet with a small amount of water, sitting or standing upright
- If prescribed with food, take with a light snack even if you have little appetite
- Note the time of each dose so you do not accidentally skip or double up
- Tell your team if the tablets are not helping — the timing or type may need adjusting
What should you do if you vomit the tablet back up?
If you vomit within 30 minutes of taking a tablet, very little of it is likely to have been absorbed. Ask your team in advance what to do in this situation, because the answer depends on the specific medicine you have been given.
Do not take an extra dose without checking with your team first.
If vomiting is stopping you from keeping any fluids down, contact your team the same day — do not wait for your next appointment. Signs that need urgent attention include: feeling faint or dizzy when you stand up, not passing urine for eight hours or more, or vomiting that continues beyond 24 hours.
Other questions about anti-sickness tablets
What if I forget a dose?
Take it as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for the next one. In that case, skip the missed dose and carry on with your usual schedule. Never take two doses at once to make up for one you missed. If missing a dose has caused you to feel sick and you are now vomiting, contact your team for advice on how to get back on track safely.
Can I take them alongside my other regular medicines?
Some medicines interact with anti-sickness tablets. When you collected your prescription, your pharmacist should have checked this. If you have added any new medicine since then — including herbal remedies or supplements bought without a prescription — tell your oncology team or pharmacist before combining them. This includes anything bought from a chemist that you would not normally mention to a doctor.
What if I feel sick during the night?
If you wake feeling nauseous and it is close to your scheduled dose time, take it. If you have recently had a dose and it is not time for the next one, use the out-of-hours number your team gave you. Do not push through the night without support if you are vomiting or cannot keep fluids down. Your team's out-of-hours contact exists for exactly this situation.
The tablets are not working at all — what do I do?
Call your team the same day rather than waiting. There are different categories of anti-sickness medicines, and if one is not controlling your nausea, your team may switch to a different type, adjust the timing, or add a second medicine alongside. There is nearly always something further that can be done. Nausea that is not controlled is a symptom your team needs to know about — they cannot adjust your treatment if they do not know how you are doing.
How many days do I need to take them after chemotherapy?
This depends on which chemotherapy you are receiving. Some drugs cause most of their nausea in the first day or two; others cause what is called delayed nausea, which can peak two to three days after the infusion and last several days more. Your team will have prescribed the number of days to match the drug. Do not stop when the clinic day ends — the days after are often when delayed nausea is at its worst.
Will I need anti-sickness tablets for every chemotherapy cycle?
Usually yes, for as long as you are receiving the same chemotherapy regimen. Some people find nausea becomes milder after the first cycle or two; others find it stays similar. Your team may adjust the medicines between cycles if one approach is not working well. Always check before changing anything yourself — do not stop taking them simply because the first cycle was manageable.
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Frequently asked questions
Why do I have to take anti-sickness tablets even when I feel well?
Taking them when you feel well is exactly the point. Anti-sickness medicines work by preventing the signals that trigger nausea from building up — they do not treat nausea that has already started. Feeling well means the medicine is doing its job. Stopping early because you feel fine is the most common reason nausea breaks through mid-cycle. Think of it like a course of antibiotics: finishing the course is how it works.
How long before chemotherapy should I take the first dose?
The exact timing depends on which medicines you have been prescribed and which chemotherapy you are receiving. Some are taken an hour or more before the infusion begins; others are taken on the morning of treatment. Your team will have given you a specific time. If you are unsure or have lost the instructions, call before your appointment rather than guessing — taking the first dose too late reduces how well it covers the first hours of nausea.
Is it safe to take anti-sickness medicines every day for several days?
Yes, for the short course prescribed around each chemotherapy session. These medicines are designed to be taken daily for the number of days your team has set. They are not intended to be taken on demand or extended beyond that without review. If your symptoms last beyond the prescribed days, that is worth reporting to your team rather than extending the course yourself.
What are the signs I am getting dehydrated?
Signs to watch for include feeling faint or dizzy when you stand up, passing very dark urine or no urine at all for eight hours or more, a dry mouth that fluids do not relieve, and feeling unusually weak. If you have any of these alongside vomiting or nausea that is stopping you from drinking, contact your team the same day. Dehydration alongside chemotherapy needs prompt attention, not a wait-and-see approach.
Can I use ginger or other home remedies alongside my anti-sickness medicines?
Ginger in small amounts — in food, tea, or biscuits — is generally considered safe alongside prescribed anti-sickness medicines, and many people find it helpful. Ginger supplements in higher doses are less well studied, and some can interact with chemotherapy or affect how the blood clots. Tell your team about anything you are taking beyond your prescription, including herbal remedies. They are not judging the choice; they need to know so they can flag any interaction.
Will I need anti-sickness medicines for every chemotherapy cycle?
Usually yes. The medicines are prescribed to match the nausea risk of the specific chemotherapy you are receiving, and that risk applies each cycle. Some people find nausea becomes milder over time; others find it stays similar. Your team may adjust the medicines between cycles if what you have been given is not working well. Always tell them how the previous cycle went — that information shapes what they prescribe next.
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