This article discusses why pills may be in your stool and when to be concerned.
Extended-release medications are slowly released into the body over a period of 12 to 24 hours.
In most cases, the body’s digestive acids break down the outer shell, but not always.
Nusha Ashjaee / Verywell
In some cases, the shell will remain intact and be expelled from the body largely intact.
But, while it may seem like the medication has not been absorbed, it has.
At the same time, you could monitor your response to treatment to see if a drug is working.
When in doubt, talk to your healthcare provider.
Motility refers to the muscle contractions that move food and other substances through the intestines.
Diarrheais a common example of this.
Medications may come out of the body undigested if the intestines contract faster than normal.
When this occurs, nutrients and drugs may pass through the digestive tract unabsorbed.
If you’re not sure you are taking a drug correctly, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Summary
There are many reasons why a pill or capsule may appear undigested.
Or, you could simply be taking the drug incorrectly.
Whatever the cause, let your healthcare provider know if you find undigested medications in your stool.
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