National Cancer Institute

u.s. Department 

of health and

human services National Institutes

of Health

Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects

Nausea and 

Vomiting

Call your doctor or nurse if the 

medicine is not working and you 

have nausea or vomiting.

What are nausea 

and vomiting?

Nausea is when you feel sick to your 

stomach, like you are going to throw up. 

Vomiting is when you throw up. You 

will most likely feel better on days you 

don’t get chemotherapy.

Take these steps 

to feel better:

Take your anti-nausea medicine. l Talk with your doctor or nurse 

to make sure you are taking your 

medicine the right way. 

l It’s very important to take your 

medicine—even on days you are 

feeling well.

Stay away from some foods. l Eat less greasy, fried, salty, sweet, or 

spicy foods if you feel sick after 

eating them. 

l If the smell of food bothers you, ask 

others to cook for you. Then let the 

food cool down before you eat it.

Have enough to eat and drink. l Take small sips of water during the 

day, if you find it hard to drink a full 

glass at one time.

l Eat 5 or 6 small meals during the day, 

instead of 3 big meals.

Choose foods from the list on 

the other side of this sheet.

On days you get treatment: l Talk with your nurse to learn about 

ways to relax if you feel sick before 

treatment. 

l Learn the best time for you to eat 

and drink. Some people feel better 

when they eat a little just before 

treatment. Others feel better when 

they have nothing to eat or drink 

before treatment. 

l After treatment, wait at least 1 hour 

before you eat or drink.

“I take medicine so I won’t feel sick 

to my stomach or vomit. My doctor 

and I had to try a few different kinds 

of medicine before we found one that 

worked for me.”
Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects: Nausea and Vomiting

Questions to ask 

your doctor or nurse:

1. What problems should I call you about?

2. What foods should I try to eat more of? 

3. How much liquid should I try to drink 

every day?

4. What medicine can help? When should 

I take it? 

5. Can you give me the name of someone who 

can tell me about acupuncture or other 

things that can help prevent nausea?

6. Can you give me the name of a nutritionist, 

so I can learn more about what foods to eat?

NIH Publication No. 08-6511

Printed August 2008

These foods and drinks may be easy on your stomach:

Soups

•	Clear broth,

such as 

chicken, beef, 

and vegetable

Drinks 

•	Clear soda, such as

ginger ale

•	Cranberry or grape

juice 

•	Oral rehydration

drinks, such as 

Pedialyte®

•	Tea

•	Water

Main meals and snacks

•	Chicken—broiled or

baked without the skin

•	Cream of Wheat® or 

Cream of Rice® cereal

•	Crackers or pretzels

•	Oatmeal

•	Pasta or noodles

•	Potatoes—boiled,

without the skin

•	White rice

•	White toast

Fruits and sweets

•	Bananas

•	Canned fruit such as

applesauce, peaches, 

and pears

•	Gelatin (Jell-O®)

•	Popsicles and sherbet

•	Yogurt (plain or vanilla)

Free Services to Learn More

National Cancer Institute

Cancer Information Service

Phone: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)

TTY: 1-800-332-8615

Online: www.cancer.gov

Chat Online: www.cancer.gov/help