background image
Nausea and Vomiting with Cancer Treatment
Nausea is a sick, uncomfortable feeling in your stomach that often comes
before vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are possible side effects of cancer
treatments. Some people are more affected by nausea and vomiting than
others.

Chemotherapy medicines can cause nausea and vomiting. Medicines to
prevent nausea are often given with chemotherapy. Radiation therapy to the
chest, stomach or back may also cause nausea and vomiting. Talk to your
doctor or nurse if you have problems.

Nausea and vomiting may also occur from other medical problems.
What to Do

It is best to treat nausea early. This can help prevent problems caused by
prolonged nausea or too much water loss called dehydration. Signs of
dehydration include:
• Dry mouth
• Cracked lips
• Dizziness
• Dry eyes

Call your doctor or nurse if you are too nauseated to drink liquids or if
you have more than two episodes of vomiting in 24 hours. Do not wait.
Eating and Drinking Tips

During this time, you may eat and drink anything that you like. You may
find these tips helpful:
• Eat only a light meal before chemotherapy.
• Eat small meals every few hours instead of 3 bigger meals each day.
• Drink at least 6-8 glasses of liquids each day.
• Avoid drinking liquids with caffeine such as soft drinks, coffee and tea.
• Use popsicles, mints, tart hard candies, citrus flavored drinks or ginger
ale. They may help get rid of the bad taste in your mouth after
chemotherapy.