Unusual association of diseases/symptoms: Over-the-counter kaolin and morphine: two hazards in one

doi:10.1136/bcr.07.2009.2117

BMJ Case Rep. 2010; 2010: bcr07.2009.2117.

Published online 2010 March 26. doi: 10.1136/bcr.07.2009.2117

PMCID: PMC3027956

Unusual association of diseases/symptoms

Over-the-counter kaolin and morphine: two hazards in one

Alison Boland,¹ Gavin Jonathan Tunnard,² and Rohit Bazaz³

¹Harrogate District Hospital, Respiratory, Lancaster Park Road, Harrogate HG2 7SX, UK

²University Hospital Lewisham, Emergency, Lewisham High Street, London SE13 6LH, UK

³St James Hospital, Infectious Diseases, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK

Correspondence to Alison Boland, Email: alison/at/doctors.net.uk

Abstract

A 56-year-old woman, who was admitted with hypokalaemia, hypertension and metabolic alkalosis, was found to be dependent on kaolin and morphine, a common agent used for the treatment of diarrhoea. This case report highlights the problems of an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine such as kaolin and morphine when it can be purchased in large quantities.

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