Overview
You should always get medical help if you are vomiting blood (called haematemesis). Vomit can vary from bright red to brown or black. It may be like liquid or more solid, or look like coffee granules.
Causes of vomiting blood
There are many possible causes of vomiting blood.
It's often a sign of bleeding in your stomach or food pipe (oesophagus), which runs from your mouth to your stomach.
Common causes of vomiting blood include:
- gastritis
- stomach ulcers
- heart burn and acid reflux
- alcohol-related liver disease
- damage to your food pipe from being sick or coughing a lot
Less common causes include:
- oesophageal cancer or stomach cancer
- blood conditions, such as haemophilia
- some medicines, including aspirin, anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen and anticoagulant medicines (blood thinning medicines)
- poisoning
It's also possible to vomit blood that was swallowed. For example, from a nosebleed or a baby breastfeeding on a bleeding nipple.
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:
You or your child are vomiting blood (or have vomited blood) and:
- feel generally unwell
- feel confused
- feel faint or dizzy
- have rapid or shallow breathing
- have cold, clammy, pale skin
- have tummy pain
- have black poo
If you have stopped vomiting blood and had no other symptoms, ask for an urgent GP appointment, call 111 or get help from 111 online.
Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Bring any medicines you take with you.
Page last reviewed: 18 August 2025
Next review due: 18 August 2028
Information sourced from the NHS. If you have concerns about your medication or symptoms, pop in or call Hedon Pharmacy - we're here to help.
Read on nhs.uk