Tablets in Your Colostomy Pouch: Ask for a Medicine Review
Bloating & DigestionArticleBring the exact medicine details to your pharmacist or GP for an individual assessment.
In this article
Contact your stoma nurse or GP if output changes significantly or you feel unwell with stomach pain, nausea or vomiting. Do not wait for a planned medicine review.1
Say what you noticed
Royal Free London advises speaking with a pharmacist or GP if you notice tablets in your colostomy pouch. Surgery can affect how medicine is digested and absorbed. The observation is a reason for review, not proof that a dose failed.1
Try: “I noticed what looked like a tablet in my pouch. Here is the exact medicine packaging. Can you review what this means for my prescription?”1
Connect the medicine and stoma questions
The leaflet also explains that some medicines can change how the stoma works. Tell the professional about concerns with your medicine or output, so both can be considered.1
Ask the team to explain its assessment and any individual instructions. Write down whom to contact with questions after the review.1
Bloated by Dinner includes a visit script. Use it to organize questions for your care team. See the book.
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It isn't a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional who knows your health history. Please don't ignore professional advice or delay getting care because of something you read here. If you think you may be having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Girl Playbook does not endorse any specific product, test, or provider.
Girl Playbook sells this book. It provides education and worksheets, not individualized medical care.
Sources
The research behind this article, in the order it’s cited. How we source our articles.
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, 2024Colostomy: a guide to discharge after surgery (opens in a new tab)abcde
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