Cariban in Spain: Doxylamine Pyridoxine for Nausea

Cariban is the Spanish brand of doxylamine and pyridoxine, a capsule for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Doxylamine is an antihistamine and pyridoxine is vitamin B6. It needs a prescription in Spain. In the UK the same pair is sold as Xonvea, and in the US as Diclegis and Bonjesta.

Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is a GP licensed in Spain (Colegiado No. 484814280).

For a medical emergency, call 112 or go to the nearest local emergency department. Do not wait for a video consultation or an online reply.

What is Cariban used for?

Cariban is for the sickness many women feel in early pregnancy, often called morning sickness. It can come at any time of day. Simple steps help many women: small, plain meals, rest and sipping fluids. When those are not enough, a doctor may suggest a medicine. The NHS says this is often a type of antihistamine.

Each capsule holds two things:

• Doxylamine, an antihistamine that calms the feeling of sickness.
• Pyridoxine, which is vitamin B6.

The capsules release the medicine slowly. The leaflet says to swallow them whole, without chewing, on an empty stomach, with water. Food can delay the effect. How many to take and when is set by your doctor and the leaflet.

What is Cariban called in the UK and the US?

The same two ingredients are sold under other names. The release form and strength can differ, so they are not always swapped one for one.

Name	What it is	Where
Cariban	Doxylamine and pyridoxine, slow-release capsules	Spain (prescription)
Navalem	Generic of the same capsules	Spain (prescription)
Bonjesta	Doxylamine and pyridoxine tablets	Spain and US (prescription)
Xonvea	Doxylamine and pyridoxine tablets	UK (prescription)
Diclegis	Doxylamine and pyridoxine tablets	US (prescription)

Doxylamine alone is also sold in Spain as a sleep aid without a prescription. That is not a treatment for pregnancy sickness. Do not use it in its place.

Do you need a prescription for Cariban in Spain?

Yes. Cariban is listed as a prescription medicine (medicamento sujeto a prescripción médica) on the AEMPS CIMA database, as are its generic and Bonjesta. A doctor first checks that the sickness comes from the pregnancy, how bad it is, and whether this medicine suits you.

Drowsiness, driving and alcohol

Sleepiness is one of the most common side effects. The leaflet says to avoid driving or using machines, at least at first, until you know how it affects you. Do not drink alcohol while you take it. Take extra care with other medicines that make you sleepy:

• Sleeping tablets, sedatives and anxiety medicines.
• Strong painkillers (opioids) and some medicines for mental health.
• Some antidepressants. You must not take Cariban with MAOI antidepressants.
• Cough, cold and allergy medicines that contain another antihistamine.

Cariban already contains vitamin B6, so check extra B6 from supplements with your doctor.

Who should not take Cariban?

• People allergic to doxylamine, pyridoxine or similar antihistamines.
• People taking MAOI antidepressants.
• People with porphyria, or vomiting from another cause.
• Women who are breastfeeding. The leaflet does not advise it.

Tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, asthma, a stomach ulcer, trouble passing urine, epilepsy, heart rhythm problems, or kidney or liver disease. There is no safety data for under-18s.

What Cariban does not treat

• Severe vomiting with dehydration (hyperemesis gravidarum). The leaflet says this needs specialist care.
• Vomiting from another cause, such as a stomach bug, a urine infection or food poisoning.
• Trouble sleeping. It is not a sleep aid.

Side effects and warning signs of severe sickness

Side effects are usually mild and fade after the first days. The common ones are sleepiness, dry mouth, constipation and blurred vision. It can make the skin more sensitive to sun. If you stop suddenly, the sickness may come back, so talk to your doctor first. The NHS says to contact a doctor or midwife if you are vomiting and:

• You cannot keep food or fluids down for 24 hours.
• Your urine is very dark, or you have not passed urine in more than 8 hours.
• You feel very weak, dizzy or faint when you stand up.
• You have lost weight, have tummy pain or a high temperature.

These can be signs of hyperemesis gravidarum, which may need fluids in hospital. Call 112 if you vomit blood, faint, have a fit, or have heavy bleeding or severe pain in the tummy.

Talking it through with a doctor by video

Dr. Yelamo is a GP licensed in Spain. He sees adults, children and pregnant patients by video, every day from 07:30 to 20:30 (Spain time). In the visit he will:

• Ask how often you are sick, what you can keep down and how much you are drinking.
• Check for signs of dehydration or another cause of vomiting.
• Explain whether diet steps, a medicine or an in-person check is the right next step.
• Review your other medicines and whether you need to drive for work.

Our pregnancy care page explains what else we help with.

He does not promise any test or prescription before the visit. Where clinically appropriate, following a genuine evaluation. Treatment and prescriptions are issued solely at the doctor's discretion based on evidence-based clinical guidelines.

A prescription is never guaranteed: it is issued only where clinically appropriate after a genuine evaluation, as a private electronic prescription under Spanish law. This service is for urgent, non-emergency care. In an emergency, call 112.

See how the Urgent Care video visit works. It lasts 15 minutes and costs €50.

This guide is general information. It does not replace the package leaflet or the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• AEMPS CIMA: Cariban package leaflet
• MedlinePlus: Doxylamine and pyridoxine
• NHS: Vomiting and morning sickness
• EMC: Xonvea product information

Related guides

• Pregnancy care online
• Pregnant and new to Spain: local maternity care
• Which medicines need a prescription in Spain?
• Urgent Care video visit