Unisom (unisom®) is a prescription medicine used to treat morning sickness caused by infection or illness. Unisom contains two active ingredients: unisin, which is a synthetic form of vitamin B-6, and hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which helps prevent nausea and vomiting. The drug is available only through a special order from your doctor. Unisom may cause side effects such as low blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart problems, liver damage and nervous system disorders.
The recommended dosage of unisom is 1 tablet twice daily for 5 days followed by another 2 tablets once daily for 5 days. You can start using it within 72 hours after being infected or sick with a cold or flu symptoms. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor before starting unisom.
You can use unisom even if you have not been exposed to any germs or viruses. However, there is no evidence that it will protect against other infections such as hepatitis A virus (HAV). Some studies suggest that unisom might increase the risk of miscarriage.
There is some concern that unisom might affect fetal development and lead to birth defects.
Unisom is used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by morning sickness. It is also used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by surgery or chemotherapy. Unisom may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Do not use unisom if you are pregnant. It might cause birth defects. You must not become pregnant while taking unisom and for at least one week after ending treatment with unisom.
If you become pregnant while taking unisom, stop taking it and immediately contact your doctor.
You must not use unisom if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
a personal or family history of Long QT Syndrome;
heart disease or a heart rhythm disorder; or
if you also take cisapride (for stomach problems).
To make sure unisom is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
a personal or family history of mental illness;
asthma or other breathing disorder;
diabetes;
liver or kidney disease; or
a stomach ulcer.
Unisom is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Unisom is not expected to harm a breastfeeding baby.
Ask your doctor if you should continue breastfeeding.
If you are pregnant, do not use unisom unless your doctor tells you to. Unisom is absorbed into the bloodstream, and while the effects are probably small, they have not been studied. It should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
It is not known whether unisom passes into the milk of breastfeeding mothers. Unisom may impact the quality and supply of your milk. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Do not give this medicine to anyone under 18 years old without medical advice.
Unisom has a minor role in treating Parkinson’s disease and Restless leg syndrome. Learn more about Unisom.
Sources & references used in this article:
Overview of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy with an emphasis on vitamins and ginger by JR Niebyl, TM Goodwin – American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 2002 – Elsevier
Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy by HE Herrell – American family physician, 2014 – aafp.org
Traditional Tongan cures for morning sickness and their mutagenic/toxicological evaluations by M Ostraff, K Anitoni, A Nicholson, GM Booth – Journal of …, 2000 – Elsevier
Doxylamine succinate–pyridoxine hydrochloride (Diclegis) for the management of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: an overview by N Nuangchamnong, J Niebyl – International journal of women’s …, 2014 – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Safe Management of Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy in the Emergency Department by OEG Saborio, BK Hines… – Advanced emergency …, 2019 – cdn.journals.lww.com
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy by JR Niebyl – New England Journal of Medicine, 2010 – Mass Medical Soc
