“Sleeping medication abuse?”
I am a mother of a 15 year old daughter. She takes a sleeping aid (promethazine) to help her sleep. I found out on a couple occasions she has taken a lot more than what is prescribed to her (she is supposed to take 1/2 - 1 per night and instead sometimes she'll take 5 - 10). For the past 3 days she's had complaints of always feeling sick after eating and has stomach aches quite often (she also gets light headed often but I'm not sure that has to do with the current issue). Also, sometimes blood would be in the toilet when she produced stool, and she was not on her period. I am not a doctor but I wonder maybe she broke or tore her stomach lining? Is that something that can happen? What happened?
Female | 45 years old
Complaint duration: 2 weeks
Medications: promethazine
Conditions: asthmatic, depression
6 Answers
Promethazine is not a sleep aid, used for nausea. Should not be taken regularly. High dose can cause psychological, neurological and GI problems, Stop taking the med!
No, I don't think she would tear her stomach lining from just taking pills. The bleeding is more likely to be from hemorrhoids or an anal fissure.
See a pediatric GI doctor if you would like a formal diagnosis for the bleeding.
See a pediatric GI doctor if you would like a formal diagnosis for the bleeding.
The most common side effects will be drowsiness and sedation, with blurred vision on some occasions, you should take her to her regular physician for evaluation of those GI symptoms.
Take your daughter to the Dr. who prescribed the meds and let him/her know what happened. She may need to be medically evaluated by the Doc.
Take a look at this helpful links:
https://lagunatreatment.com/drug-abuse/promethazine/
https://www.princetondetox.com/detox-and-recovery-resources-for-families/understanding-the-risks-of-promethazine-abuse/
https://lagunatreatment.com/drug-abuse/promethazine/
https://www.princetondetox.com/detox-and-recovery-resources-for-families/understanding-the-risks-of-promethazine-abuse/
She is clearly having side effects from a significant overdose of her promethazine. Your best choice is to take her to see her primary care doctor.
