Medications: to crush or not to crush??

[SarahRN482 66]

For many years I've been on medications for high BP, allergies, GERD, and high cholesterol. I'm hopeful that eventually I won't need to be on a lot of these medications, but for now, I'm still on them. The issue I'm having is that they are AWFUL to crush. Holy cow, the taste is just totally TERRIBLE, it literally makes me shiver anytime I crush them and take them, even in applesauce.

My question for ya'll is this: Can I take my pills whole, or do I need to continue to crush them? And if I need to keep crushing them, what should I mix them in to cover up the taste even more? Maybe yogurt??

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Before you crush anything, it's crucial you discuss it with your pharmacist first. Some pills are time release and if you crush them you risk an accidental over dose. So, be sure to check with your pharmacist first.

As far as swallowing pills with the band, when in doubt always do as your doctor recommends. I actually never crushed pills or switched to liquid form. I've been able to swallow mine just fine right from the very beginning. However, everyone is different so your experience may be very different.

Best wishes.

[tlbutler 98]

My doctor has me crushing my meds...I put them in crystal light. But my pills are small and easy to take. they changed them after the surgery because some of my meds were time released or coated for easy swallowing both of which can't be crushed. Definitely ask the pharmacist like suggested as they are a wealth of information and can give you great information.

[B-52 7,113]

I don't...and I take some large ones....but then I know my band, and what I can and cannot do....

[sunnysidega 177]

As others have said some pills are NOT to be crushed. I would check with my pharmacist if you are having difficulty swallowing your meds. At first I was scared so I bought chewable vitamins and liquid Tylenol, etc. But as you get to know your band you will find out if there are certain pills you cannot swallow. But I take my meds and Vitamins just fine by swallowing them and my Calcium pill is huge. It was the initial fear that I wouldn't be able to that caused me concern.

[GoingforGoal 1,734]

Depending on what stage you are in, I would certainly try taking a whole capsule. I have taken horse pill antibiotics while banded with no problem. That is at GREEN and certainly restrictive enough to not allow some foods like dry meat to pass etc. I would experiment as it would save you the ordeal of crushing and tolerating the bad taste.

Other points- if you are newly banded and not on solids, I would suffer the crushed med phase until you are better established on the band as to not create inflammation. And make certain your meds are crushable, I am assuming this was already done

Here's a list of meds that should NOT BE CRUSHED:

http://www.ismp.org/tools/donotcrush.pdf