Crushing Tablets

[dunnitall]

Does anyone else crush their tablets (medication) even though the leaflet says do not crush? I realise it's for a reason but mine get stuck in my throat everyday so I'm thinking surely it won't hurt to crush them so I can swallow them? Thanks for your answers and help.

[Sqad]

Which tablets?
If they are not coated or in a plastic capsule, then go ahead and crush them.

[dunnitall]

Bisoprolol fumerate 2.5mg sqad. Says not to crush in the leaflet but I don't know what to do because they stick in my throat as I have a throat condition. Thsnks for answering.

[woofgang]

as Sqad says, it depends on the tablets. The ones that say do not crush usually say so for a reason, often because they contain something that can damage your mouth and throat, sometimes because the active ingredient tastes or smells disgusting. Stuff you can try that works for me is taking them with a mouthful of food rather than a drink...either whatever you happen to be eating or something like custard or yoghurt. If you really can't get them down then check with the doc about crushing...if you really mustn't crush them then there may be a liquid alternative.

[bhg481]

My wife has to take tablets for high blood pressure and has the same problem as you. She asked our doctor if she could crush them and he said not to as they were designed for slow-release between doses. She ended up with a lesson on how to swallow tablets.

[Sqad]

dunnitall....I hate to disagree with the "instructions, but i see no reason why you shouldn't crush OR cut Bisoprolol.

My opinion.....go ahead and crush it and take it with water.

[Bazile]

I think it is more a case of some tablets are designed for slow release of the medication .

Crushing them will mean that the medication is released into your stomach all at once

[Sqad]

dunitall.

Whilst giving it more thought.......beta-blockers are not absorbed in the stomach, so it matters not a damn if you crush them or not.
They pass through the stomach and are absorbed "lower down".
So there you go.........crush them.

[Bazile]

Here you go

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=image+of+hammer&sa=X&rlz=1C1CHBD_en-gbGB734GB734&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&;ved=0ahUKEwjgw8a6jPXWAhVqBcAKHQXUCk4QsAQIKg&biw=1440&bih=769

[Bazile]

Bisoprolol , aside
Here is NHS choices info on crushing tablets -

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2457.aspx

[jno]

what, one at a time, Bazile? Get into the 21st century, man!

http://tinyurl.com/ybtt3bj9

[Bazile]

yes jno , but it will take ages for one of them to get over to dunnitall's place

[Mamyalynne]

It may be a good idea to discuss the swallowing issue with your GP, I presume of course they are well aware of your throat condition - they may have some solutions for you.

[dunnitall]

Hmmm, looks like it's the steam roller for me...sodd the tablets lol. What a dilemma, thanks to all for help and links...I will certainly have to talk to someone about it and see what result I get. Mamya yes the know about my throat condition and there's not much they can do so it's more of sorting the medication out than anything else. Thanks again y'all.

[derekpara]

If you have problems with tablets sticking in your throat avoid swallowing Viagra like the plague - you'll have a stiff neck for a week !


D

[Mamyalynne]

Good luck Dunnitall, take care.

[andy-hughes]

If you have trouble swallowing tablets, try this.

Take a mouth full of water and hold it.

Bend forward, so the water comes to the front of your mouth.

Part your lips enough to slip the tablet into your mouth.

Feel the tablet float in the water.

In one smooth medium-paced movement, straighten up, and as soon as you are upright, without stopping, tip your head right back.

The water, and the tablet will both go down your throat and shouldn't stick on the way.

It's worth a go.

[ummmm]

I always struggled and would often bring it back up! Recently I've been on quite a few meds and can manage it now.

I have a pint of water in hand, put the tablet at the back of my tongue and start taking fairly big gulps as quickly as possible

[237SJ]

Just get a pill cutter http://www.boots.com/safe-and-sound-pill-cutter-and-crusher-10150191 I used one of these for Anlodipine for my cat. No crushing involved