Antiemetics are typically used to treat motion sickness and the side effects of medications such as opioids and chemotherapy.Antiemetics act by inhibiting the receptor sites associated with emesis. Hence, anticholinergics, antihistamines, dopamine antagonists, serotonin antagonists, and cannabinoids are used as antiemetics.Evidence to support the use of antiemetics for nausea and vomiting among adults in the emergency department is poor. It is unclear if any medication is better than another or better than no active treatment. Epidemiology
Nausea and/or vomiting are the main complaints in 1.6% of visits to family physicians in Australia. Society and culture
Herodotus, writing on the culture of the ancient Persians and highlighting the differences with those of the Greeks, notes that to vomit in the presence of others is prohibited among Persians. Social cues
It is quite common that, when one person vomits, others nearby become nauseated, particularly when smelling the vomit of others, and often to the point of vomiting themselves. It is believed that this is an evolved trait among primates. Many primates in the wild tend to browse for food in small groups. Should one member of the party react adversely to some ingested food, it may be advantageous (in a survival sense) for other members of the party to also vomit. This tendency in human populations has been observed at drinking parties, where excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages may cause a number of party members to vomit nearly simultaneously, this being triggered by the initial vomiting of a single member of the party.
Digestive tract
Causes in the digestive tract

Gastritis (inflammation of the gastric wall)
Gastroenteritis
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Celiac disease
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity
Pyloric stenosis (in babies, this typically causes a very forceful "projectile vomiting" and is an indication for urgent surgery)
Bowel obstruction
Overeating (stomach too full)
Acute abdomen and/or peritonitis
Ileus
Food allergies (often in conjunction with hives or swelling)
Cholecystitis, pancreatitis, appendicitis, hepatitis
Food poisoning
In children, it can be caused by an allergic reaction to cows milk proteins (Milk allergy or lactose intolerance)

Sensory system and brain
Causes in the sensory system:
Movement leading to motion sickness (which is caused by overstimulation of the labyrinthine canals of the ear)
Ménières disease
VertigoCauses in the brain:
Concussion
Cerebral hemorrhage
Migraine
Brain tumors, which can cause the chemoreceptors to malfunction
Benign intracranial hypertension and hydrocephalusMetabolic disturbances (these may irritate both the stomach and the parts of the brain that coordinate vomiting):
Hypercalcemia (high calcium levels)
Uremia (urea accumulation, usually due to kidney failure)
Adrenal insufficiency
Hypoglycemia
HyperglycemiaPregnancy:
Hyperemesis, morning sicknessDrug reaction (vomiting may occur as an acute somatic response to):
Alcohol, which can be partially oxidized into acetaldehyde that causes the symptoms of hangover, including nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and fast heart rate. Opioids
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Many chemotherapy drugs
Some entheogens (such as peyote or ayahuasca)Illness (sometimes colloquially known as "stomach flu"—a broad name that refers to gastric inflammation caused by a range of viruses and bacteria):
Norovirus (formerly Norwalk virus or Norwalk agent)
Swine influenzaPsychiatric/behavioral:

Bulimia nervosa
Purging disorder

Emetics
An emetic, such as syrup of ipecac, is a substance that induces vomiting when administered orally or by injection. An emetic is used medically when a substance has been ingested and must be expelled from the body immediately.