Brown Particles in Vomit After Medication and Multivitamins Concern
Hello everyone! I’m a 23-year-old who takes several medications each day, including Adderall, Zoloft, Namenda, and birth control, alongside a One A Day women’s multivitamin. Except for the multivitamin, all of these are prescribed. I sometimes find myself feeling nauseous after my morning doses. I typically take all my medicines together before heading to work, and I have a habit of skipping breakfast, which might be contributing to this issue. I’d like to give a trigger warning for mentions of vomiting and bowel movements in this post. If necessary, please advise me on whether this content should be marked as NSFW; I'm unsure how that works on this platform. This morning, I experienced a notable increase in nausea, likely due to not having eaten after taking my medications. Roughly 20 minutes post-ingestion, after washing them down with water and just a sip of Dr. Pepper to mask the taste, I decided to go to the restroom before settling down to work. I was already feeling queasy, but typically, my nausea subsides after about 10 to 15 minutes, so I thought I could manage it. Unfortunately, while sitting on the toilet, I ended up vomiting into the trash can nearby. Although I had just consumed several gulps of water, which resulted in a mostly liquid expulsion, I ended up accidentally projecting some onto the floor as well. Currently, I feel completely fine! What concerns me, though, are the peculiar brown particles I noticed in the vomit. I snapped a photo before cleaning everything up and can share that if needed (please excuse the state of my area, as it's been a while since I've vacuumed). My main question is whether or not this is something I should be worried about. I tend to be a bit of a hypochondriac and I'm hesitant to send an unsolicited picture of my vomit to my doctor via the Patient Portal if it turns out to be trivial. Thank you so much for your help!
Answers (1)
7/31/2025, 3:31:11 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to be concerned about unusual symptoms, especially after vomiting, and I appreciate you sharing your experience. Let's break down what's happening and what steps you can take.
Main Points:
- Nausea and vomiting can result from taking medications, especially when taken on an empty stomach.
- The brown particles in your vomit could be due to several factors, such as food remnants, dried blood, or even the pigments from your multivitamin.
- Monitoring your symptoms and adjusting your routine can help reduce nausea.
Explanation:
Nausea after taking medications, particularly when they are taken without food, is a common issue. Medications like Adderall and Zoloft can cause gastrointestinal upset in some individuals. The brown particles you observed in your vomit may not be alarming if they are small and you feel otherwise well. They could be related to anything you ate the previous day, or even a reaction to the multivitamin.
Since you mentioned that you tend to be a hypochondriac, it’s important to reassure you that while it’s wise to be aware of your health, many episodes of nausea and vomiting are not serious.
Next Steps:
-
Try Taking Medications with Food: To minimize nausea, try taking your medications with a small breakfast or at least a small snack. This can act as a buffer to your stomach.
-
Monitor Your Symptoms: Note if the nausea continues or worsens, particularly after any specific medication. Keep a diary of what you eat, your symptoms, and when they occur.
-
Stay Hydrated: After vomiting, make sure to drink plenty of fluids. Drinking water slowly can help hydrate you without overwhelming your stomach.
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Consider the Brown Particles: If you experience any other concerning symptoms such as blood in vomit, severe abdominal pain, or continued vomiting, it would be wise to consult a healthcare provider.
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Talk to Your Healthcare Provider: If nausea persists despite food intake or if you have recurring vomiting episodes, consider discussing this with your doctor. You could mention the brown particles without needing to share a photo; your description will be sufficient.
Always prioritize self-care and listen to your body. If you continue to feel better and the nausea resolves, it might not be necessary to worry about this incident. However, staying aware of your symptoms and communicating with your doctor when needed is essential.
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