September/October 2006
Page 10
What an Ostomate Should Know About Medication
Liquids are faster acting than pills. The degree of compression of a tablet determines the rate the medicine is dissolved in one's system. The amount of
medication absorbed by the body depends on the amount of intestine available. Therefore, the type of drugs to be taken must be base on the "absorption power" you have.
Time-release capsules are not for the ileostomate. They do not have enough time to dissolve in the short remaining intestine and are passed virtually intact.
Time-release medicine will completely dissolve at once if alcohol is consumed with it or shortly thereafter. An overdose would result!
Most medication is available in a variety forms - be sure to tell your pharmacist that you have an ostomy so that he/she can provide the right form of the prescribed medication.
Source: South Nevada Town Karaya; Edmonton, AB; Metro Halifax News, June 2006, via Inside Out On-line Sep/Oct 2006
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