Inhaling isopropyl alcohol vapor from an alcohol pad relieves nausea.

Is it true that inhaling isopropyl alcohol vapor from an alcohol pad relieves nausea?

Partly. Two meta-analyses report that inhaled isopropyl alcohol may modestly reduce nausea in specific settings (adult emergency department patients, and versus 5-HT3 antagonists), while a 2023 systematic review of 13 RCTs concludes there is a lack of strong evidence to support its use. A clinical reference also states sniffing an alcohol wipe reduces mild to moderate nausea and vomiting.

Verdict: CONTESTED PARTIAL · 3 sources for, 1 against · Last checked 3 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

JS, K., JG, K., JM, G., SJ, W., TTN, M., JHW, J., CD, O., S, B., JN, H., AK, G., S, E., FJ, T., & DI, W. (2023). Isopropyl alcohol inhalation versus 5-HT<sub>3</sub> antagonists for treatment of nausea: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-023-03560-x

Erdogan-Ongel, E., Heung, Y., Moraes, A. R. d., Geng, Y., & Bruera, E. (2023). Inhalation of Isopropyl Alcohol for the Management of Nausea and Vomiting: A Systematic Review.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2022.0332

Lee, S. Y. & Tamale, J. R. (2023). Isopropyl alcohol inhalation for the treatment of nausea in adult emergency department patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1136/emermed-2022-212871

Nausea and vomiting. (n.d.). wikem.org. https://wikem.org/wiki/Nausea_and_vomiting