What is
morning sickness?

Dr. Masterson
Dr. Masterson is a paid spokesperson for Duchesnay USA.

Morning Sickness graphic

Morning sickness is also known as “nausea and vomiting of pregnancy” and its symptoms may last well beyond the morning.

You’ve always been great at what you do—whether it’s taking the lead at work, taking care of your family or staying active. You never expected pregnancy to get in the way of doing all that you do and being who you are.

But what if you’re among the estimated 85% of pregnant women who suffer from morning sickness? The mild to severe nausea, vomiting, gagging and retching can leave you feeling miserable—keeping you from being YOU.

In fact:

  • Up to 85% of pregnant women will experience nausea and/or vomiting and for up to 95% of these women, symptoms may last well beyond the morning
  • Symptoms may begin as early as 4 to 6 weeks after your last period and usually peak around 10 weeks
  • For 90% of women, symptoms resolve by weeks 14 to 16 of pregnancy
  • For approximately 10% of women, symptoms persist throughout their pregnancy

How can morning
sickness affect your life?

Impact on your professional life

  • Morning sickness can have a major impact on your job performance. Trying to concentrate on your work can be next to impossible when all you can focus on is the fastest route to the ladies’ room or how quickly you can grab the nearest wastebasket.
  • Morning sickness can result in a significant economic burden if you find yourself too sick to go to work or if you require hospitalization due to your symptoms.

Impact on your personal life

  • An estimated 30 to 40% of pregnant women are unable to fully participate in many family and social functions and in household activities due to their morning sickness symptoms. When you’re nauseous and vomiting, even getting out of bed can be challenging.
  • Studies have reported that up to 55% of women suffering from morning sickness feel frustrated, helpless, resentful and depressed.
  • In addition to the impact morning sickness has on your own life, it can also affect your family.

Can diet and lifestyle changes help manage morning sickness?

For some women, simple changes in diet and lifestyle are enough to get symptoms under control. Here are some things you can try:

Diet changes
While there is little reliable scientific evidence about which foods help reduce nausea, the following are good places to start:

  • Avoid having an empty stomach
  • Have a snack before you get out of bed in the morning
  • Eat slowly, in small portions and frequently
  • Consume food and beverages that contain ginger

Fluid intake

  • Drink fluids at least 30 minutes before or after solid food
  • Fluids that are cold, clear, carbonated or sour (e.g., ginger ale, lemonade, popsicles) and consumed in small amounts seem to be better tolerated; using a straw may also help
  • Some women find aromatic liquids, such as lemon or mint tea, easier to tolerate
  • Small volumes of electrolyte-replacement sports drinks can be used to replace both fluids and electrolytes, if you can tolerate them

Avoiding environmental triggers
Avoiding certain environmental triggers can also help reduce morning sickness symptoms. Some examples of environmental triggers include:

  • Strong odors (such as perfume, chemicals, food, smoke)
  • Heat and humidity
  • Noise
  • Visual or physical motion (such as flickering lights, driving)
  • Changing positions quickly

Vitamin/mineral supplements

  • Avoid supplements that contain iron until your symptoms resolve, since iron can irritate your stomach
  • Take your prenatal vitamins right before bed with a snack, instead of in the morning or on an empty stomach

Is getting early treatment important?

If you’re suffering from morning sickness, timely treatment is essential, as it could prevent your symptoms from getting worse. Delaying treatment may lead to weight loss and dehydration, which may require hospitalization.

Talk to your healthcare provider as soon as possible about any morning sickness symptoms you’re experiencing. He or she will suggest diet and lifestyle changes to help manage your symptoms.

If these diet and lifestyle changes don’t work, then it’s time to ask your healthcare provider if Bonjesta® is right for you.

Morning sickness is a real medical condition that can get worse if not managed properly. Don’t wait. Talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms today.

Indication and important safety information

INDICATION

BONJESTA® is a prescription medicine used to treat nausea and vomiting of pregnancy in women who have not improved with change in diet or other non-medicine treatments.

LIMITATIONS OF USE

It is not known if BONJESTA® is safe and effective in women with severe nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. Women with this condition may need to be hospitalized.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

BONJESTA® is intended for use in pregnant women. It is not known if BONJESTA® is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

Do not take BONJESTA® if you:

  • are allergic to doxylamine succinate, other ethanolamine derivative antihistamines, pyridoxine hydrochloride or any of the ingredients in BONJESTA®. Please refer to the Patient Information leaflet for the complete list of ingredients;
  • take monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are not sure if you take an MAOI, including Marplan, Nardil, Emsam, Eldepryl, Zelapar, and Parnate.

Before taking BONJESTA®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you: have eye problems called increased intraocular pressure or narrow angle glaucoma; have a stomach problem called stenosing peptic ulcer or pyloroduodenal obstruction; have a bladder problem called urinary bladder-neck obstruction; are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. BONJESTA® can pass into your breast milk and may harm your baby. You should not breastfeed while using BONJESTA®.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

How should you take BONJESTA®?

  • Talk to your healthcare provider about how much and when to take BONJESTA®.
  • Take BONJESTA® everyday as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not stop taking BONJESTA® without talking to your healthcare provider first.
  • Do not take more than 2 tablets (1 in the morning and 1 at bedtime) each day.
  • Take BONJESTA® tablets whole on an empty stomach with a glass of water.
  • If you take too much BONJESTA® (overdose), you may have the following symptoms: restlessness, dry mouth, the pupils of your eyes become larger (dilated), sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, fast heart rate, seizures, muscle pain or weakness, urination changes and build-up of fluid in the body. If you have these symptoms and they are severe, they may lead to death. If you take too much BONJESTA®, call your poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

What are the possible side effects of BONJESTA®?

  • The most common side effect of BONJESTA® is drowsiness.
  • Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other activities that need your full attention unless your healthcare provider says that you may do so. Do not drink alcohol, or take other CNS depressants such as cough and cold medicines, certain pain medicines, and medicines that help you sleep while you take BONJESTA®. Severe drowsiness can happen or become worse causing falls or accidents. BONJESTA® may cause an incorrect positive result for urine drug screening tests for methadone, opiates and PCP.

These are not all the possible side effects of BONJESTA®. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Keep BONJESTA® and all medicines out of the reach of children. Carefully read the storage instruction as detailed in the BONJESTA® Patient Information leaflet.

Duchesnay USA encourages you to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088

Indication and important safety information

INDICATION

BONJESTA® is a prescription medicine used to treat nausea and vomiting of pregnancy in women who have not improved with change in diet or other non-medicine treatments.

LIMITATIONS OF USE

It is not known if BONJESTA® is safe and effective in women with severe nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. Women with this condition may need to be hospitalized.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

BONJESTA® is intended for use in pregnant women. It is not known if BONJESTA® is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

Indication and important safety information

INDICATION

BONJESTA® is a prescription medicine used to treat nausea and vomiting of pregnancy in women who have not improved with change in diet or other non-medicine treatments.

LIMITATIONS OF USE

It is not known if BONJESTA® is safe and effective in women with severe nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. Women with this condition may need to be hospitalized.