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Jan 23, 2024

Absorption of Medication with Ileostomy?

The topic at hand is about concerns regarding medication absorption after ileostomy surgery. An ileostomy involves removing the colon, which can affect how medications are absorbed in the body. Here are some helpful insights and advice for those facing this situation:

1. **General Principle**
- With the colon gone, medications have less time to be absorbed as they pass through the small intestine more quickly. It's important to have your doctor, stoma nurse, or pharmacist review your medications after surgery and monitor how well they are working.

2. **Enteric-coated, Slow-release, or Modified-release Products**
- Many people find that enteric-coated or slow-release medications may pass through the system without being absorbed, as they can appear whole in the ostomy pouch. These should generally be avoided or switched to a different form.
- However, some individuals may find these medications work for them, so it's important to try and observe how they affect you personally.

3. **Acceptable Formulations**
- Standard, fast-acting tablets and capsules usually dissolve and absorb well.
- If needed, with approval from a healthcare professional, you can crush tablets or open capsules and mix the contents with water to improve absorption.

4. **Alternative Delivery Methods**
- Consider asking about sublingual tablets, transdermal patches, gels, liquid suspensions, or specially compounded versions if standard oral forms are not effective.
- Pharmacists can provide empty capsules to test how well they dissolve or create formulations that work better with an ileostomy.
- Supplements are often available in sublingual or liquid forms.

5. **Practical Monitoring Tips**
- Right after surgery, your output may be more liquid, and medications may pass through quickly. As your diet stabilizes, absorption should improve.
- Using a clear pouch initially can help you see if pills are passing through intact, indicating they weren't absorbed. You can switch to opaque pouches later if you prefer.

6. **Dietary & Lifestyle Considerations**
- Experimenting with when you eat, how much you eat, and your fluid intake can help manage output and improve medication absorption.

7. **Professional Guidance**
- Always consult with your healthcare team before making any changes to your medication forms. Pharmacists can provide valuable advice on alternative formulations and any potential issues with removing coatings.

8. **Resources**
- For more information on capsule materials and how they dissolve, you can visit: https://www.capsulcn.com/different-types-of-capsules-guide
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