Before altering any medications to make them easier to swallow, please be sure to read the labels and package inserts. If these are not available, or more information is needed, consult a pharmacist. More harm than good can be done if a medication should not be altered.
Some medications are caustic to the intestinal system and are therefore encased in substances such as capsules or a hard coating that resembles a candy coating so that they dissolve further down the digestive tract.
Time Release Medications
Some medications are meant to be released slowly and their coating is meant to allow them to dissolve at a specified rate. Others are meant to be released rapidly and by placing them in a substance such a peanut butter, applesauce or Jello this process can be delayed.
Some medications should be taken with food and others on an empty stomach. Some should be followed by a full glass of water. Altering them may affect how well they work.
Underlying Neurological Problems
Many people have difficulty swallowing medications. In particular, those who develop swallowing problems associated with strokes or other neurological disorders have problems swallowing medications. Others just have problems with the larger varieties often referred to as horse pills. Some people simply have difficulty swallowing pills and there is no underlying physical problem. If medications must be taken, alternative solutions should be sought instead of not taking the medicines.
Anyone experiencing difficulty swallowing should be evaluated by a physician to determine the cause. Next, working with a speech and language therapist may be recommended to help strengthen the muscles associated with swallowing or to learn safe alternative procedures.
Safely Mashing or Crushing Meds
In many instances, mashing, crushing or chopping medications and placing them in a spoon full of a soft substance such as pudding, applesauce, peanut butter, Jello or jelly can help them slide down easily. But it is vitally important to find out if this is a safe thing to do first.
Sometimes medications can be crushed and put into empty capsules that are easier to swallow as well. But again, make sure this is safe. Empty capsules can be obtained from a pharmacy.
Liquid Alternatives
Medications that cannot be crushed or broken can be compounded into various other formats by pharmacists. Sometimes liquid alternatives are readily available and a variety of flavors can be added to make them more palatable. This is most commonly done for children.
A Compounding Pharmacist
If necessary, a compounding pharmacist may be needed to transform the medications into an alternative format. This can include liquid or thick liquids, capsules, and even suppositories that can be inserted into the rectum.
Some medications come in a variety of strengths. Often the smallest dose is the smallest tablet and the largest dose can be considerably larger. An option may be to take multiple tablets of the smaller size to avoid problems with a huge pill.
All medications should be taken according to the directions. Check with a pharmacist for help before altering the state of any medication including over the counter medications.
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