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Missed dose

What should I do if I vomit shortly after taking a tablet?

It depends on how soon you vomited and which medicine it was. If it was within a short time of swallowing, the dose may not have been absorbed, but do not automatically take another. Ask your pharmacist for advice on your specific medicine.

This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal medical concerns. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.

If you are sick very soon after taking a tablet, before it has had time to be absorbed, the dose may have been lost. But whether you should take a replacement dose depends entirely on the medicine, because taking another too soon can risk a double dose if the first one was partly absorbed.

Some medicines have specific guidance for this situation, including contraceptives and others where a missed or vomited dose matters. The general missed-dose advice on the leaflet may apply, but it is safest to confirm rather than guess.

Contact your pharmacist or doctor for advice tailored to your medicine, especially if you keep vomiting and cannot keep doses down at all. Persistent vomiting may need separate treatment and could affect other medicines you take.

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