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What Causes Passing Of Stools With Outer Shells Of Potassium Capsules?

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Posted on Fri, 13 Mar 2015
Question: I have been taking 2 Potassium CL ER 8 MEQ tablets a day for several months. They have a blue coating on them. Recently i have noticed a few times the white pills showing up in my stool but they no longer have the blue coating. I fished one out to check it and it is solid but powdery when I broke it. Someone told me that that is just the coating and that the meds have already been absorbed but I don't understand how the pill can still be intact but the meds absorbed.
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Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
need to check with your doctor

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your question.
It is true that some tablets are made in such a way that the active ingredient diffuses out of it during the process of passing through your system. In these types of pills you will often see the pill in your stool, but the active medication has been absorbed.
Ask your doctor if this is the type of potassium that you have been prescribed. If so then it is no problem.
If this is not the type pill you have been prescribed then it may mean that you are not getting the potassium and that the pill is passing through without you getting the benefit of the medication. This could be a problem if you need the potassium in your system.
It may be a problem with a pill but it may also mean that you are not absorbing other nutrients and it could mean that there are some digestive issues going on.
Ask your doctor about the pill and let them know what is going on.
Regards,
Dr. Robinson
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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Answered by
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Dr. Kathy Robinson

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1989

Answered : 3535 Questions

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What Causes Passing Of Stools With Outer Shells Of Potassium Capsules?

Brief Answer: need to check with your doctor Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for your question. It is true that some tablets are made in such a way that the active ingredient diffuses out of it during the process of passing through your system. In these types of pills you will often see the pill in your stool, but the active medication has been absorbed. Ask your doctor if this is the type of potassium that you have been prescribed. If so then it is no problem. If this is not the type pill you have been prescribed then it may mean that you are not getting the potassium and that the pill is passing through without you getting the benefit of the medication. This could be a problem if you need the potassium in your system. It may be a problem with a pill but it may also mean that you are not absorbing other nutrients and it could mean that there are some digestive issues going on. Ask your doctor about the pill and let them know what is going on. Regards, Dr. Robinson