Taking medication (pill form) after the Lap-Band Procedure

[rosieg54 0]

Has anyone experienced any difficulty taking perscription medication (i.e High blood pressure time released capsules, GERD medications such as Aciphex, or any pill larger than an asprin, etc.)? Also, have you had difficulty taking more that 3 pills at one time, and finally, has anyone had to have their perscription medication changed because of pill size?<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[Wheetsin 714]

I can't take pills. I cut a pill the size of a Tylenol into 4 pieces and had one of my worst PBs on it. When there is no liquid/chewable alternative, I crush and use drinkable yogurt to get it down. Not sure what I would do with smtg enteric coated.

[kbinaz 0]

pills are a huge issue with me. I can only take one at a time and sometimes they hurt and I almost feel like I'm going to PB. Most medications are available in different forms. If I have tablets I try to crush them (they sell crushers at pharmacies) and if they are capsules I just take one at a time and wait a few minutes to take the second one. I do only chewable vitamins.< /p>

[Monica S 1]

I have no problems taking pills of any size. I can take several at once. I may need a fill, but even when I was very tight I could always take pills with no problem.

[minpinmom 2]

I can take pills that are this size or smaller O If they are bigger than that, I cut them into smaller sizes. I haven't had any problems (but I have only had 1 fill.

Anyone have any suggestions on whether or not to take on full/empty stomach, with lots of liquid, warm liquid, etc.?

[Daisalana 33]

I have very good restriction, and I started slow on pills. The horse pills (herbal come to mind) are really rough, I feel them get stuck then plop through.

However, Nyquil (which is big gel tabs) and dayquil, go down fine. I take many pills every day.. Don't break up a time release pill!!!!! That can be very fatal.

Try small, get your hand on some various sized pills (tylenol, advil, etc) and see how well you can do. Obviously it's different if Wheet can't do 1/4 of a tylenol and I can do a large Nyquil gel tab.. and we both have adequate restriction!

[lessnless 1]

Since I'm allergic to so many things, I always end up with the weird, off-the-wall antibiotic or pain meds. They're never available in a liquid form.

Luckily, I live close to an old-fashioned compounding pharmacy (not a big chain drugstore). They're usually located near a hospital (remember the old mortar-and-pestle Rx signs). I can take almost any prescription in and have them grind the pills to make a liquid suspension. You can even "pick your poison" flavor-wise.

This is a common thing in the horse world, since horses have to take 30-40 pills PER DAY when they're sick and they're very finicky eaters. One pony gets licorice-flavored meds, the other prefers peppermint!

[Kalia Jade 0]

I take about 6 pills a day and some are pretty large. I was worried about this pre-band, I wasn't sure how it would work....but it has been fine so far. I used to take all 6 pills at one time with one gulp of Water, now I take each one individually and make sure it goes down before starting the next. I remember hearing that we're not supposed to take time-released medicines (I don't remember the reason.)

[Carvinplayer 5]

I take about 6 pills a day and some are pretty large. I was worried about this pre-band, I wasn't sure how it would work....but it has been fine so far. I used to take all 6 pills at one time with one gulp of Water, now I take each one individually and make sure it goes down before starting the next. I remember hearing that we're not supposed to take time-released medicines (I don't remember the reason.)

Just a guess but time release pills are often designed to protect the drug from the harsh environment of the stomach so that it becomes available for absorption further down the line in the small intestine. Some of the drugs are also coated to protect the stomach like Coated Aspirin because, well, bleeding stomach ulcers are bad....allegedly.... I am also worried about pill sizes because I take 2 large ones twice a day and if they get stuck it is going to be a bummer. Great thread guys.

[Rojasanoll 920]

I take about 5 pills per day. Some are Vitamins and only one BP pill did i switch to a 2 pills a day format so it wa ssmaller to swallow. At first and right after the lapband for maybe 3 months i broke all pills except the time release pill. After i tried to swallow with lots of Water and now I dont have any problem with any pills. Lucky for me the biggest pill is 100mg size and it is small.

Best wishes

[tipsyb 71]

I take metformin which is a big pill two a day a Vitamin just as big and a tiny blood pressure tablet with very little problem.