Crushed Pills vs Swallow whole

[rking 484]

Does anyone swallow medication pills whole? Does anyone crush? I have been crushing and it is so gross. Just don't know if I'm up for that gross taste today. Have some of you always swallowed pills whole? I am 10 days post op.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I never crushed anything. I just took my pills as is .

[Shylarose 53]

Hi Rking,

Congrats for being on the other side of the surgery! Mine is scheduled for December 15th. I have been told by my ARNP that I am not allowed to have any medication that is not dissolvable, liquid or crushed for 8 weeks post op. Hertip for the bitter taste was to take a sip gatorade, hold your nose and take the ground up pills, and sip some more gatorade before letting go of your nose. She says it will help, but not make the bitter taste go away totally. There is no hope for that. =0)

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,444]

As I recall, some meds should not be crushed, some not broken. Check with your pharmacist re: prescription. Pharmacist should also know about o-t-c; otherwise check the mfr to be safe.

As I recall, anything that's scored can be cut along the score line.

Eg., I don't recall which multi-Vitamin I bought, a capsule-shaped tablet that was horse-sized and unscored. I broke it in half and was sorry -- it burned going down and I believe it was because I'd cut them. (nb: I called the mfr about that and a CSR told me it should be alright to cut in half.)

[magtart 603]

Not a crusher.

[rking 484]

Thanks y'all!!!!!!! Right, extended release pills should not be crushed.

[treblecutie23 318]

I crushed the first couple of weeks. Now I just break them in half so they're smaller and swallow-able.

[Mania 128]

8 days post op and I take pills as they are. No problems at all (yet).

[rking 484]

You never crushed? I swallowed mine today and had no problem at all. I'm sure my doc won't be happy but I am ????

[Mania 128]

My NUT said to crush/open pills that were bigger than a Tylenol caplet. I opened the capsule on my Multivitamin yesterday, first day taking after surgery, and it was a mess. Couldn't break them apart so I ended u cutting them and then trying to get everything out of capsule. On top of that it was hard to wash the pill down and get the nasty taste out of my mouth. So I figured WTH and took a flyer that I could take them as is since I have been doing so well with my recovery (hardly any issues at all). I had no problems so my NUT can just live with my decision for my body (and I figure her directive was for the masses).

[rking 484]

Thanks for sharing txbariatricguy! I am going to start just swallowing all of mine. They are fairly small