A pharmacist has highlighted the potential dangers of crushing tablets, emphasizing that it may increase the likelihood of experiencing side effects.
Not everyone finds taking tablets easy, with some preferring medication in a liquid or dissolvable form.
Some people may choose to crush tablets or open capsules to access the medication inside. However, British clinical pharmacist Anum has used TikTok to share a crucial warning regarding this practice.
In her video, she states: “Did you know that crushing your tablets or opening capsules and just taking the powder can be dangerous?”
Anum continues, “Not all tablets are suitable to be crushed, and not all capsules are suitable to be opened,” advising her followers.
“Some are modified release. So if you are crushing these tablets or opening the capsules, you could impact the release profile of the medication, meaning that it might not last as long, and you can increase the risk of side effects.”
She further explains, “Some have an enteric coating. What this means is that it can help to protect your stomach from the medication, and it can protect the medication from the acid in your stomach.
“So you do not want to be tampering with this coating. And more concerningly, some tablets and capsules can be irritating and harmful to you if touched once they’ve been crushed.”
Given these risks, Anum advises individuals to consult with their pharmacist or doctor if they have difficulty swallowing tablets instead of altering the medication themselves.
In the comments section of the video, someone asked Anum about the safety of cutting tablets in half.
She responded: “Good question! Some tablets are designed to be split and others aren’t, and it’s not always obvious which is which.
“Cutting the wrong one can change how the medicine works. Best bet is to check with your pharmacist before splitting any tablet!”
For those who struggle with taking pills, Healthline suggests a few techniques to make the process easier. One method is placing the pill in applesauce, pudding, or another soft food to help ease the swallowing process.
Healthline also advises consulting healthcare professionals before considering crushing tablets, especially for medications that must be taken on an empty stomach.