Case Report: Unexplained Presence of Yellow Oval Elements in Stool Mimicking Parasitic Infection in a Patient on Metformin Extended-Release

Main Article Content

Mazen A. Ismail, Asim T. Sharif

Keywords

.

Abstract

This case report presents the clinical history, examination findings, and diagnostic investigations of a 47-year-old female patient who presented with the passage of multiple yellow oval elements in her stool, mimicking a parasitic infection. Despite extensive evaluations and referrals to gastroenterology and endoscopic services, no abnormalities were detected. The report highlights the importance of considering medication-related side effects, specifically ghost tablets, in patients presenting with atypical stool findings to avoid unnecessary investigations and anxiety.

Abstract 360 | PDF Downloads 6979

References

1- Tungaraza, T. E., Talapan-Manikoth, P., Eboka, Y. M., Mahmood, N., Bains, S. K., & Sihota, K. (2014). Ghost pill: knowledge and awareness of this phenomenon among health care professionals.
2- Salanio, D. M., Taylor, R., Stanton, J. E., & Wild, E. J. (2017). Ghost pills: A case report. Annals of Internal Medicine, 166(8), 609.
3- Tungaraza, T. E., Talapan-Manikoth, P., & Jenkins, R. (2013). Curse of the ghost pills: the role of oral controlled-release formulations in the passage of empty intact shells in faeces. Two case reports and a literature review relevant to psychiatry. Therapeutic advances in drug safety, 4(2), 63-71.
4- Garg, K. K., Gautam, S. K. S., & Dhiraaj, S. (2022). Morphine Sustained Release Tablets Becoming Ghost Pill: A Palliative Conundrum. Indian Journal of Palliative Care, 28(2), 224.
5- Porte, L., & Weitzel, T. (2020). Ghost tablets mimicking intestinal parasite. Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases, 23, 462-463.
6- Levy, J., Cobas, R. A., & Gomes, M. B. (2010). Assessment of efficacy and tolerability of once-daily extended release metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetology & metabolic syndrome, 2, 1-6.
7- Sun, D., Wen, H., Externbrink, A., Gao, Z., Keire, D., Krauss, G., & Jiang, W. (2016). Ghost-pill-buster: A case study of intact levetiracetam extended-release tablets after dissolution testing. CNS drugs, 30, 455-460.