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What Causes Severe Vomiting While On Antipsychotics?

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Posted on Thu, 28 Jan 2016
Question: My 26 year old son has frequent vomiting following heavy coughing. He vomits about 4-6 nights per week.
He thinks this may be due to acid reflux but took prevacid for 2 months with no relief. I am trying to get him to go to a doctor but no luck so far. He is inactive, a little overweight (about 200 lbs, 5'11"; should be about 160 lbs I think). He has a bad diet; prefers fried foods, and dislikes fresh fruit and vegetables. He is taking antipsychotic and lithium for schizophrenia/bipolar problems. He sleeps poorly, a family problem. If I can get him to the doctor, what more do we need to tell him? What should we be looking for?
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Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
GERD

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns

I am sorry to hear that you son has a bad cough with vomiting. I agree that you son more than likely has GERD. The most common cause of a chronic cough is reflux. To help reduce his symptoms I would recommend elevating the head of his bed. This helps keep acid down while sleeping. Also weight loss will help and not overeating. I would recommend trying the prevacid again but this time make sure he takes it in the morning before he eats. Then he must eat 30-60 mins after taking the prevacid. Most people take the prevacid with a meal and that is not how this medication works. He must take it on an empty stomach and then eat in 30-60 minutes


In summary
1. GERD more than likely
2. Elevate head of bed
3. Avoid overeating
4. Lose weight
5. Try Prevacid again

If these measures don't help then try getting him to a doctor for evaluation as he may have something more serious like Barrett's esophagus which is a precancerous growth of tissue in the esophagus.

I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions or concerns
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ronald Schubert

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 2407 Questions

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What Causes Severe Vomiting While On Antipsychotics?

Brief Answer: GERD Detailed Answer: Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns I am sorry to hear that you son has a bad cough with vomiting. I agree that you son more than likely has GERD. The most common cause of a chronic cough is reflux. To help reduce his symptoms I would recommend elevating the head of his bed. This helps keep acid down while sleeping. Also weight loss will help and not overeating. I would recommend trying the prevacid again but this time make sure he takes it in the morning before he eats. Then he must eat 30-60 mins after taking the prevacid. Most people take the prevacid with a meal and that is not how this medication works. He must take it on an empty stomach and then eat in 30-60 minutes In summary 1. GERD more than likely 2. Elevate head of bed 3. Avoid overeating 4. Lose weight 5. Try Prevacid again If these measures don't help then try getting him to a doctor for evaluation as he may have something more serious like Barrett's esophagus which is a precancerous growth of tissue in the esophagus. I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions or concerns