Bonjesta Is an FDA-Approved Extended-Release Medication for Morning Sickness in Pregnancy

Bonjesta (doxylamine succinate/pyridoxine hydrochloride extended-release) is a prescription medication used to treat nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, commonly known as morning sickness. It's one of only a few medications specifically FDA-approved for this purpose.

If you've been prescribed Bonjesta or are wondering whether it might help with your morning sickness, this guide covers everything you need to know — from what it is and how to take it, to what it costs and who should avoid it.

What Is Bonjesta?

Bonjesta is a brand-name prescription medication made by Duchesnay USA. It combines two active ingredients:

• Doxylamine succinate — an antihistamine that helps reduce nausea by blocking histamine receptors in the brain
• Pyridoxine hydrochloride — vitamin B6, which plays a role in reducing nausea through amino acid metabolism and neurotransmitter function

Each Bonjesta tablet contains 20 mg of doxylamine and 20 mg of pyridoxine, delivered through a unique dual-layer extended-release design. The outer coating releases 10 mg of each ingredient immediately, while the inner core releases the remaining 10 mg over several hours. This provides both fast relief and sustained coverage.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Brand name: Bonjesta
• Generic name: Doxylamine Succinate / Pyridoxine Hydrochloride Extended-Release
• Drug class: Miscellaneous antiemetics (antihistamine + vitamin B6 combination)
• Manufacturer: Duchesnay USA
• FDA-approved: Yes, for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP)
• Controlled substance: No
• Generic available: No (as of 2026)

What Is Bonjesta Used For?

Bonjesta is FDA-approved for one specific indication: the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) in women who do not respond to conservative management.

"Conservative management" typically includes lifestyle changes like eating smaller, more frequent meals, avoiding trigger foods, staying hydrated, and trying over-the-counter vitamin B6 supplements. If these approaches haven't provided enough relief, your doctor may prescribe Bonjesta.

Bonjesta is not approved for general nausea, motion sickness, or nausea caused by other conditions. It is specifically formulated for pregnancy-related nausea.

How Is Bonjesta Taken?

Bonjesta should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The standard dosing schedule is:

Starting Dose

Take 1 tablet at bedtime on an empty stomach with a full glass of water.

If Symptoms Continue

If your nausea isn't adequately controlled with the bedtime dose alone, your doctor may increase your dose to 1 tablet in the morning and 1 tablet at bedtime (2 tablets per day).

Maximum Dose

Do not take more than 2 tablets per day.

Important Instructions

• Swallow the tablet whole — do not crush, chew, or break it. The extended-release design requires the tablet to remain intact.
• Take it on an empty stomach — food can affect how the medication is absorbed.
• Take it with a full glass of water.

The bedtime dose is especially helpful because the antihistamine component (doxylamine) can cause drowsiness. Taking it at night lets you sleep through the sedating effect and wake up with nausea relief. Learn more about side effects in our side effects guide.

Who Should Not Take Bonjesta?

Bonjesta is not right for everyone. You should not take Bonjesta if you:

• Have used an MAO inhibitor within the past 14 days — medications like Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Rasagiline, Selegiline, or Tranylcypromine. The combination can cause dangerous interactions.
• Are allergic to doxylamine, pyridoxine, or any inactive ingredient in the tablet.
• Are breastfeeding — doxylamine passes into breast milk and may affect your baby.

Use Bonjesta with caution if you have:

• Asthma
• Glaucoma (increased eye pressure)
• Gastrointestinal obstruction or stomach ulcers
• Bladder obstruction or urinary retention issues

Always tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and medications before starting Bonjesta. For a complete list of drug interactions, see our drug interactions guide.

How Much Does Bonjesta Cost?

This is where things get real: Bonjesta is expensive. Here's the pricing breakdown for 2026:

• Cash price (without insurance): $481–$490 for 30 tablets
• With insurance: Coverage varies widely. Many plans require prior authorization or step therapy (trying cheaper options first). With the Bonjesta CoPay Savings Card, commercially insured patients may pay as little as $35–$40.
• Bonjesta At Home (uninsured): $60 for 30 tablets or $99 for 60 tablets, delivered to your door with free shipping. Call 1-800-835-0755 or visit bonjesta.com/bonjesta-savings.

There is no generic version of Bonjesta available as of 2026. However, Diclegis — a related medication with the same active ingredients in a lower-strength delayed-release formulation — does have a generic available for about $30–$80 for 60 tablets.

For a full breakdown of every way to save, see our complete savings guide.

How Does Bonjesta Compare to Similar Medications?

Bonjesta isn't the only option for morning sickness. Here's how it compares to the most common alternatives:

• Diclegis — Same active ingredients (doxylamine/pyridoxine) but in a 10 mg/10 mg delayed-release tablet taken up to 4 times daily. Generic available and much cheaper, but requires more pills per day.
• Ondansetron (Zofran) — A serotonin receptor antagonist used off-label for pregnancy nausea. Available as a cheap generic. Doesn't cause drowsiness but used off-label (not specifically FDA-approved for pregnancy).
• Promethazine (Phenergan) — An antihistamine used off-label for pregnancy nausea. Available as generic but causes significant drowsiness.
• Metoclopramide (Reglan) — A dopamine antagonist that increases GI motility. Used when other options fail. Available as generic.

For a detailed comparison, check our guide on alternatives to Bonjesta.

Final Thoughts

Bonjesta is a well-studied, FDA-approved option for morning sickness that didn't respond to home remedies. Its extended-release design means fewer pills per day than Diclegis, and its safety profile in pregnancy is supported by decades of data on the doxylamine/pyridoxine combination.

The biggest challenge is cost and availability. Without savings programs, Bonjesta costs nearly $500 a month — but the Bonjesta At Home program brings that down to $60 for most uninsured patients. And while not every pharmacy stocks it, tools like Medfinder make it easy to find a pharmacy with Bonjesta in stock near you.

Talk to your OB/GYN or find a provider to see if Bonjesta is right for you.