If dietary changes and over-the-counter remedies haven't eased your pregnancy nausea and vomiting, your health care practitioner may recommend Diclegis, a prescription medication. Diclegis combines two ingredients — vitamin B6 and doxylamine — that have long been used to treat morning sickness. The medication is effective for many women while they're taking it, though symptoms may return after stopping it.

Learn how Diclegis works, who it's for, possible side effects, and the questions to ask your practitioner before deciding whether it's the right treatment for you.

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Key Takeaways
  • Diclegis is a prescription medication for pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting. It combines vitamin B6 and doxylamine in one pill and may help if dietary changes and over-the-counter remedies haven't relieved your morning sickness.
  • Talk to your health care practitioner about the best treatment for your symptoms. Some practitioners recommend trying vitamin B6 first, then adding doxylamine if needed. Your practitioner can help determine whether Diclegis or another treatment is right for you based on the severity of your symptoms.
  • Diclegis can reduce morning sickness symptoms, but it isn't a cure. It works while you're taking it, and symptoms may return if you stop. For most pregnant women, however, morning sickness naturally improves by the second trimester.

What is Diclegis?

Available only by prescription, Diclegis is a medication that is used to control nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, aka morning sickness.

For years, practitioners have recommended treating morning sickness with a combination of vitamin B6 and doxylamine (sold over the counter as Unisom SleepTabs),[1] but they had to be taken separately. Diclegis combines these two ingredients in a single formulation specifically designed and approved for use during pregnancy.

Let your practitioner know whether your symptoms are getting in the way of your daily life. You may be asked to complete the Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE) questionnaire, which helps measure the severity of your symptoms.

If you’re suffering from persistent vomiting, you may have hyperemesis gravidarum, a more serious condition that can lead to weight loss and dehydration. In that case, it isn't known if Diclegis is safe or effective. Your practitioner may recommend hospitalization so you can receive IV liquids and medication.

Track your symptoms and get more expert advice in the What to Expect app.

Is Diclegis safe during pregnancy?

Studies have shown that Diclegis does not increase the risk of miscarriage, birth defects, or other pregnancy complications. It's recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) as a treatment for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.

The most common reported side effect is drowsiness. Other possible side effects include dizziness, blurred vision, stomach upset, diarrhea, constipation, headache, and trouble sleeping. Be sure to report any side effects to your practitioner.

"I find it helps but it makes me exhausted," reports What to Expect Community mom boymomoftwo22and24.

Should I try Diclegis before other treatments for morning sickness?

Your practitioner will likely recommend trying dietary and lifestyle changes first, along with over-the-counter remedies such as ginger chews, candies, or tea. If those approaches don't provide enough relief, medication may be the next step.

One downside of Diclegis is that it can be relatively expensive. The drug costs about $100 per month and isn’t usually covered by insurance. For women who need it throughout the first trimester, costs can add up quickly.

"It was worth it for me," says Community mom rhla, who used GoodRX to get the cost down. "I had a 1-year-old I needed to take care of and my nausea was horrendous."

That said, the two active ingredients in Diclegis — doxylamine (Unisom SleepTabs) and vitamin B6 — can be purchased separately over the counter for about $10 per month. In fact, the ACOG recommends trying vitamin B6 first for morning sickness and adding doxylamine if symptoms don't improve.[2] Ask your practitioner whether taking the two medications separately may be a good option for you.

Will Diclegis cure my morning sickness?

Diclegis can be effective at reducing symptoms while you're taking it, but it isn't a cure. If you stop taking the medication before your morning sickness resolves, your symptoms may return.

"Diclegis definitely made life a lot more tolerable for me," says Community member Cemui16.

If taking Diclegis or a combination of vitamin B6 and doxylamine doesn’t improve your symptoms, your practitioner may recommend another antiemetic medication, such as metoclopramide (Reglan), to prevent vomiting. In general, antiemetics are well-tolerated but can cause side effects such as constipation or diarrhea, headache, fatigue, blurred vision, and dry mouth.

Talk to your practitioner about how much Diclegis to take, when to take it, and when to stop using it. Do not take more than four tablets in a day (typically one in the morning, one in the mid-afternoon, and two at bedtime). Take the medication on an empty stomach with a glass of water.

"You have to consistently take it when you're told to, and it really helps!" says Community member SK3993.

Thankfully, for most women, morning sickness begins to improve around week 14. So in time, you’ll hopefully be feeling much better and be able to focus on enjoying your pregnancy and preparing for your baby.