What Causes Vomiting Post Alcohol Consumption?

Posted on Mon, 17 Nov 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 17 Nov 2014 Answered on

Thu, 11 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : my 18 year old son has been throwing up all day, he said he had a moderate amount of alcohol last night, he said 3 beers and 2 shots of vodka. but he did work a long 16 hour shift and didn't eat much food.
today I have tried to make sure he is drinking a lot of water and eating something but he doesn't keep anything down. I then tried to give him a cool washcloth behind the neck but that doesn't seem to help him. so in desperation I gave him one of my prescription nausea pills (promethazine 25 mg). but he threw it up right away. any suggestions about what to do now?

Answered by Dr. Moumita Chakraborty,MD (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
take your son to ER

Detailed Answer:
Hello There!

Welcome to Healthcaremagic.

I understand your concerns.I would definitely suggest you to take your son to ER.

This could be Food poisoning or Alcohol poisoning . On either case, he should not be dehydrated. Since he has been vomiting , he needs intravenous fluid. And once the etiology is known, he will be completely fine.

Hope i answered your query.Feel free to ask more.
Dr.Moumita XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E