Can escitalopram oxalate tablets cause black stools?
Nov 20, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Baohua
Introduction
Escitalopram oxalate tablets generally do not directly cause black stools, but may indirectly lead to this phenomenon under certain circumstances. Monitor stool color regularly during treatment. If black stools appear along with symptoms such as abdominal pain or fatigue, seek medical attention promptly. Maintain a balanced diet and avoid consuming large amounts of dark-colored foods in a short period.
Escitalopram oxalate tablets generally do not directly cause black stools, but may indirectly lead to this phenomenon under specific circumstances. The detailed analysis is as follows:
When there is no gastrointestinal damage during medication use, and the patient is not concurrently taking iron supplements, bismuth-containing agents, or similar drugs, and when the diet does not include large amounts of animal blood or liver, black stools are unlikely to occur. The drug's metabolites do not affect stool color, and gastrointestinal side effects are usually mild with proper use, so stool color typically remains normal.
However, if the medication causes gastrointestinal mucosal injury and bleeding, or if it is taken together with drugs such as bismuth potassium citrate capsules or ferrous sulfate tablets, black stools may occur indirectly. When gastrointestinal bleeding occurs, blood is digested in the gut, where hemoglobin is converted into black ferrous sulfide. Additionally, metabolites of bismuth and iron compounds can also alter stool color.
Monitor stool color regularly during treatment. If black stools appear along with symptoms such as abdominal pain or fatigue, seek medical attention promptly for evaluation. Maintain a balanced diet, avoid consuming large amounts of dark-colored foods within a short period, and do not self-administer additional medications while on treatment. Eat regular meals, avoid spicy or irritating foods, reduce gastrointestinal burden, and promote safe medication use.
