Hi,I am Dr. Shanthi.E (General & Family Physician). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
Hi, I have notice dark coloured stools over the past few weeks. I am taking amitriptanine, elevit, melatonin and valerian forte. Could this be a side effect of any of these? I am getting worried. Should I see a doctor immediately? Thanks for your help. Sarah
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Black stool may be sign of some diet (iron supplements for example) but also it may be caused due to passage of blood in stool and then it is called melena. The most common cause of melena is peptic ulcer disease.[4] However, any bleeding within the upper gastrointestinal tract or the ascending colon can lead to melena.[5] Melena may also be a complication of anticoagulant medications, such as warfarin. Diagnosis of disease after patient having melena is important. For this laboratory stool examination, upper GI endoscopy and barium X-ray helps the medical attendant to find the cause. Treatment will depend on the cause. In case of peptic ulcer, conservative line of treatment will heal the ulcer, bland diet, medications for H.pylori infection will cure it. In every case, I would not ignore it and tests are necessary.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
I find this answer helpful
You found this answer helpful
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
We use cookies in order to offer you most relevant experience and using this website you acknowledge that you have already read and understood our
Privacy Policy
What Does Dark Stool Indicate?
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Black stool may be sign of some diet (iron supplements for example) but also it may be caused due to passage of blood in stool and then it is called melena. The most common cause of melena is peptic ulcer disease.[4] However, any bleeding within the upper gastrointestinal tract or the ascending colon can lead to melena.[5] Melena may also be a complication of anticoagulant medications, such as warfarin. Diagnosis of disease after patient having melena is important. For this laboratory stool examination, upper GI endoscopy and barium X-ray helps the medical attendant to find the cause. Treatment will depend on the cause. In case of peptic ulcer, conservative line of treatment will heal the ulcer, bland diet, medications for H.pylori infection will cure it. In every case, I would not ignore it and tests are necessary. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.