Is it safe to take Gelusil and Emeset when pregnant?

Question

Hi doctor,

My wife is 7 weeks pregnant now. Currently, doctor has suggested some tablets and her reports are attached for your reference. From yesterday, she feels gas and wants to take Gelusil. Is it safe to take Gelusil with these medicines? She also complains of vomiting sensation especially in empty stomach and takes tablet Emeset only on alternate days. Previously, she used to feel her appetite as heavy even after food. But, after this gas issue she takes less food.

Please guide me how to take care of this situation?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I went through your prescription (attachment removed to protect patient identity) and your query.

The symptoms your wife suffering with is common during the first trimester of pregnancy. All these symptoms are due to gastritis, which due to the sudden surge of pregnancy hormones at this time. Try and avoid Gelusil as much as possible though once in a while would not be harmful. Tablet Emeset (Ondansetron) is a medicine to stop vomiting. But alternate day dosage is insufficient and that is the reason why she has not responded. Normally, it is given two to three times a day. I will try and make things slightly simpler for you.

1. Please advise her to stop taking any fluids in the morning such as tea, coffee or even water on empty stomach. That increases the vomiting sensation.

2. Instead try taking dry foods like bread or biscuit. Only after two to three hours start taking fluids, whatever she feels like, but never to gulp it down, take it slowly in sips.

3. Another home remedy which helps many people is ginger tea; take it two to three times a day. It suits some people and does not suit some people. So, try it a couple of times. If it makes nausea worse then stop it.

4. Whereas medicine is concerned, current recommendation is tablet Ranitidine (Aciloc) 150 mg twice a day on empty stomach for a week and then decrease to only once a day every morning in empty stomach. This will help with gas, bloating and even nausea till an extent.

5. If she has severe nausea or vomiting take tablet Emeset 4 mg twice a day, for a week. If she feels better after a week, then you can decrease the dosage slowly.

6. Also research says that vitamin B12 helps in nausea and vomiting. So, having vitamin B capsules would be a good idea along a diet rich in vitamin B12.

7. Another important thing is instead of taking four major meals; break it into six to seven small meals. That means she should take small quantities of food every 2-3 hours.

8. Never let stomach be completely empty.

If she follows these remedies she actually might not need any medication for the gastritis and nausea of pregnancy.