What should you know about medicine for blood vomiting?

Blood can look bright red, dark brown, or like coffee grounds. It may come from the food pipe or stomach after irritation, a tear caused by forceful vomiting, an ulcer, or bleeding higher in the digestive tract. Swallowed blood from the nose or mouth can also be vomited, but this still needs clinical judgement.

Vomiting blood is not the same as ordinary nausea. Conditions such as [Gastroenteritis](/conditions/gastroenteritis/) or [Food Poisoning](/conditions/food-poisoning/) may cause vomiting, but visible blood requires a separate safety assessment.

Call emergency services or go to an emergency department now, especially if you feel faint, weak, breathless, confused, clammy, or have severe pain. Do not drive yourself. Sit upright or lie on your side if you feel faint, and keep any information about medicines, especially blood thinners, available for the medical team.

Do not take painkillers such as aspirin or ibuprofen unless a clinician specifically tells you to, and do not eat or drink large amounts while waiting for advice. Do not use leftover anti-sickness medicine to delay assessment.

Any episode of [Vomiting](/symptoms/vomiting/) containing blood needs prompt medical evaluation, even if it stops. Emergency help is particularly important with black stools, rapid heartbeat, collapse, ongoing vomiting, or signs of dehydration. Tell clinicians about liver disease, ulcers, recent retching, and all medicines.

Describe the colour and amount, when it began, whether retching came first, and whether you have abdominal pain or black stools. Bring a medicine list and mention alcohol use or a recent nosebleed if relevant.