Can we cut or crush pills?

Do you find large pills off-putting? Have you thought about cutting or crushing them to be able to swallow them more easily? Although crushing certain types of pills is sometimes recommended, it can be quite dangerous and even fatal with particular medications.

Several kinds of medication are available in pills that have a special coating that allows the drug to be released in a controlled and continuous manner. For example, if a particular medication needs to be released over a period of 12 or 24 hours, the coating on the pill is designed specifically for that purpose. This not only reduces the number of pills a patient must take every day, it also allows better control of some symptoms such as pain or diseases like blood pressure. Therefore, if a pill designed to release its medication over a 24-hour period is crushed, it will release the medication in one fell swoop! This not only increases the chances of experiencing exaggerated side effects but more importantly, it can be dangerous with medications that have very precise therapeutic doses.

If it is difficult for an individual to swallow tablets or capsules, there are alternatives. Some pills can be crushed but the ones that cannot may be replaced by skin patches, liquids or inhalers. It all depends on the type of medication.

The size of the pill you have to take scares the bejesus out of you? Talk it over with your pharmacist, he or she will be able to help you find a viable solution.

Before you do anything, always, always ask your pharmacist if the type of pill you are taking can be crushed or cut. After all, your pharmacist is the expert!