Why can't we swallow pills whole????

[Marissa C 9]

I'm still taking my blood pressure meds and I dread getting up in the morning because it means I have to crush my Losartan. It's disgusting!!!!!! I hate the daily experience! I've tried s/f pudding, s/f apple sauce.....

[Monkeyfulbrighter 73]

Doctor had me swallowing pills in the hospital so i am unsure... and my doctor has a slow food progression and very conservative usually.

I'd guess due to not swallowing air with it?

[GotProlactinoma 458]

I swallowed a Migraine pill whole a few days after surgery.

also my tiny thyroid pill.

Try it I guess? I would not like crushing them either.

[Half-Tum 404]

Yes, I feel like calling bullshit on this. I have taken them whole. I am tired of doing it. They are being overly cautious, I get it.

[Marissa C 9]

Yes, I feel like calling bullshit on this. I have taken them whole. I am tired of doing it. They are being overly cautious, I get it.

I thought it had to do with the absorption! I still need to look into it! Thanks!

[Marissa C 9]

I swallowed a Migraine pill whole a few days after surgery.
also my tiny thyroid pill.
Try it I guess? I would not like crushing them either.

I have the synthroid also... thank God that one is flavorless! I thought we had to crush them because of absorption issues...

[gwbicster 257]

I had pills I could swallow whole and larger ones I couldn't. My Metformin I still can't swallow, and can't keep it down if I crush it either, so I am off of it until week 12 when we'll try again.

Be very careful about crushing ER versions of pills- that could lead to an overdose. Ask your pharmicist to be sure.

[Marissa C 9]

I had pills I could swallow whole and larger ones I couldn't. My Metformin I still can't swallow, and can't keep it down if I crush it either, so I am off of it until week 12 when we'll try again.

Be very careful about crushing ER versions of pills- that could lead to an overdose. Ask your pharmicist to be sure.

Can you explain ER, please....

[Marissa C 9]

Can you explain ER, please....

My metropolol does say, "Swallow whole. Do not chew or crush." Now what?

[Introversion 1,876]

I'm 2+ years out and have never crushed any of my pills. I'm also on Synthroid and my lab results are normal without ever having crushed pills before swallowing.

Bariatric surgeons do not want liability if we choke or aspirate pills, so they give a garden-variety directive to all patients to crush their medications.

Here's a clue: it's not necessary. Your doctor simply doesn't want you to sue him/her if you choke on a pill and experience a poor outcome.

[gwbicster 257]

47 minutes ago, Marissa C said:

My metropolol does say, "Swallow whole. Do not chew or crush." Now what?

ER= extended release.

I also take Metoprolol ER. Even though mine has the same directive, it is scored in the middle, meaning that you can break it in two along the score line without problems. I did this in the beginning after surgery however I no longer need to.

[elle2 7]

For the first week, I split the metropolol in two and took it that way. You are not supposed to crush it. ER stands for extended release. Starting week two, I just swallowed it whole with no problem.

[K_aane 356]

I have swallowed everything whole since surgery. I cut my potassium in half because it's large but no problem on pills at all.

HW 274 SW 263 GW 125 GASTRIC SLEEVE 7/21/17. Height 5'1"

[alcn1derlnd 146]

The only pill I don't swallow whole is my Multivitamin. I cut that in half. General guideline for cut tablet in half is if it has a score in it, it can be cut. Crushing medicine you need to check with a pharmacist.



HW-292 • SW (6/29/17) 256.6 • CW 234.2

[NikkiPen 51]

My surgeon said in the hospital that he doesn't worry about his sleeve patients taking pills. That it's mainly a precaution for the bypass patients. Huge pills I use common sense. I take Tylenol, Zantac, using up the rest of my chewable vitamins, then opting for pills/ capsules. I've found the chewable multi Vitamin hurts my teeth... ?? If you trusted your surgeon with your life for surgery, why would you not trust their word now? Talk to your surgeon and ask them to answer your questions and explain it to you. They aren't trying to make it hard on you. Mine actually looked at my list of meds and decided whole pills were okay for what I was taking.