I didn't think I'd have to take an anti-vomit medicine and add it into the equation. Would a standard travel sickness medicine suffice?
No. It's a difference in that it doesn't cross the blood-brain barrier. It's not just about stopping nauseau, but speeding up the digestive process, which, in the case of N, will speed up the absorption. Recommended is something like meto (Reglan).
If you haven't, I'd highly recommended you read up on this in the Peaceful Pill Handbook. It will save you from "re-inventing the wheel". You can find links to downloads on the site here.
An excerpt from the 2018 version:
Administration of N
"In places where assisted dying is legal, Nembutal is invariably taken with a separate anti-emetic (anti-vomiting) drug. The anti-emetic will be taken as stipulated either for two days prior to the chosen night. Alternatively it can be taken as a single 'stat dose' around 40 minutes before the Nembutal is to be taken (see Chapter 9 for more explanation)."
Eating something light
"Have something light to eat so your stomach is not empty is generally considered a good idea. The chance of reflex vomiting brought on by drinking the bitter N liquid is reduced if there is something in the stomach. This should not be a significant meal that will slow the absorption of the drug. Something light is preferable, like tea and toast, an hour or so before taking the drug."
Drinking Alcohol after the N
"The liquid in the glass can be drunk quickly in 2 or 3 swallows, and then followed by some alcohol, usually spirits or liqueur. Although not essential, alcohol is recommended as it alleviates the bitter Nembutal after-taste, and will speed the drug's action."
Mixing N with Something Else to take away the Bitter Taste
"It is always better to take one's N straight. The likely result of mixing the Nembutal with something else (eg. yogurt) is the creation of a greater volume of an equally unpalatable substance. Furthermore, using a spoon to consume the drug, rather than drinking it, can mean a longer time to ingest the 100ml.
"Exit has received reports of people falling asleep before all of the drug is consumed. This is dangerous. It is best to drink the 100ml in a few swallows, then drink alcohol."
How the N Takes Effect
"The drug is absorbed from the stomach, and as the level in the blood rises, some crosses the blood-brain barrier and effects the part of the brain that controls sleep.
"Within a few minutes of taking the drink the person falls into a deep sleep, quite often in mid-sentence when talking to family and friends!"
As for anti-emetics, there's a chapter on that:
Drugs and Vomiting
"To minimize the risk of vomiting and to speed gastric emptying, an anti-vomiting ('anti-emetic') drug can be taken as a single dose. Alternatively the drug can be taken for a set period of time before the consumption of the lethal drug. Indeed, organisations like Dignitas in Zurich, who provide oral Nembutal for those wanting to die, insist that an anti-emetic be taken prior to the lethal barbiturate. There is a number of anti-emetic drugs that can be used for this purpose, although they are often controlled/ prescription drugs. Be aware that it may be necessary to fabricate a reason when asking a doctor to prescribe them for you.
"An additional point is that all anti-emetic drugs have side effects. Some can be serious. If you have never taken these anti-emetics before it would be wise to take a test dose of the planned drug prior well ahead of your dying day. This way any allergies and hypersensitivities to a particular anti-emetic occur can be taken into consideration in your overall planning.
"Some of the anti-emetics commonly used in conjunction with end of life drugs are shown in the following table which also states common drug names, available pill size, doses, recommended regime and possible side effects."
It goes on to describe the different varieties, and their strenghts and weaknesses.
