Tag: Undigested pill

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, for those taking Wellbutrin XL, it is normal to notice something that looks like a tablet in the stool because the medication's outer shell is specially designed to release the drug slowly. This phenomenon, known as the 'ghost pill', often leads people to wonder, 'Am I pooping out my Wellbutrin?'. The simple answer is no—your body is just discarding the empty casing after absorbing the active ingredient.

According to one case report, a patient's caregiver grew concerned after repeatedly finding what appeared to be an undigested pill in the patient's stool. This startling discovery is known as a 'ghost pill' and is a common, yet often misunderstood, phenomenon with certain extended-release medications. This article will delve into the pharmacology behind these intact tablet shells and explain why they are not a cause for alarm in most cases.