Is It Normal To Have Passing Of Stools With Outer Shells Of Potassium Tablets?

Posted on Fri, 13 Mar 2015

Question: I am currently taking two Potassium CL ER 8 MEQ tablets a day. I have noticed several times that the pills, minus the blue coating, show up in my stool. Should I be concerned?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
it is normal.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome to Healthcare Magic.

I read carefully your query.

In extended-release drug formulations , the outer shell of the tablet is not supposed to be digested.This coating is what makes it dissolve slowly in GI tract.
The potassium chloride in Potassium CL ER 8 mEq,is completely absorbed in small intestine.The wax matrix is not absorbed and is excreted in the feces.In some cases the empty matrices may be seen in stool.
This is normal and not a cause for concern.

If the pill in stool is a whole pill not just empty matrix ,it may indicate that the pill is not digested in the GI tract.In this case you should consult your physician and test the level of Potassium in blood.

Hope it helps.
Let me know if you need further help.

Kind regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar