Nausea & Vomiting Due To Chemotherapy

Key points about nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy

• nausea and vomiting are common side effects during chemotherapy
• nausea and vomiting can sometimes last for several days after the chemotherapy treatment stops
• the effects of chemotherapy vary with each child and depend on the dose and type of chemotherapy they receive
• if your child suffers from nausea and vomiting, your child's healthcare team will give your child medicines called anti-emetics

Nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy

Nausea and vomiting are common side effects during chemotherapy. These symptoms can sometimes last for several days after treatment stops.

Why it happens

Chemotherapy affects each child differently and depends on the dose and type of chemotherapy they receive. Some medicines may cause strong nausea and vomiting in one child, while another may have no symptoms at all. Your child’s healthcare team will create a personalised plan to help manage these effects.

Emotional triggers

Sometimes, nausea and vomiting can begin even before treatment starts. Some tamariki may feel anxious about clinic visits, medical procedures, or even smells associated with the hospital. This anxiety can trigger nausea or make vomiting last longer. If you notice this happening, let your healthcare team know. They can help with strategies to ease your child’s worry.

Treatment for nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy

Anti-nausea medicines (anti-emetics)

Your child's healthcare team may prescribe anti-emetics. These are medicines to help reduce nausea and vomiting. Tamriki can have these by mouth (orally) or through a vein (intravenously). Some tamariki may need more than one type of medicine to feel better. 

You may be able to give these medicines at home. Follow the instructions from your healthcare team carefully.

Tips to manage nausea and vomiting

Keep fluids up

Fluid is important to help your child process chemotherapy medicines and flush the excess out of their system. 

Try: 

• sips of water throughout the day, or commercial glucose drinks from the supermarket or pharmacy, coconut water, Hydralyte or isotonic sports drinks
• using cups with lids and straws to reduce smells
• diluting milk or fruit juice with water if vomiting stops but your child still feels sick

Offer small frequent meals

• give small, frequent meals or snacks every few hours
• avoid letting your child's stomach get too full or too empty
• if vomiting continues, offer fluids every 30 minutes instead of food

It's OK to offer food after vomiting - some tamariki feel ready to eat soon after a bout of nausea. 

Try cold foods that don't have much smell

Try giving your child cold foods that don't have much smell - things like jelly, fruit juice, biscuits, sandwiches and desserts.

Choose gentle foods

Try cold foods with mild smells: jelly, fruit juice, plain biscuits, sandwiches.

Try dry foods: crackers, plain biscuits, ice cubes, ice blocks, peppermints or barley sugars.

Try appealing soft foods: yoghurt, cereal, pureed fruit.

Avoid heavy foods

Hold off on fatty or spicy foods like chips, pizza, fried foods, and chocolate until your child feels better.

Food and nausea - what to offer

Offering favourite foods can help - but be mindful. If your child feels very sick, they may develop a lasting dislike for certain foods. Try offering a small variety rather than all their favourites at once.

When to call the hospital

Call the hospital and tell your child's healthcare team if:

• your child has not been able to drink for 2 hours
• they’ve vomited 3 or more times during the last 2 hours
• you’re worried about their symptoms