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

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.