Uncrushable Pills...What do you do ?

[amamastime 0]

This thread isn't unless. I have two very tiny time release that don't give me any problems. However, the big ones are a different story. That is why you have to work it out with the doctors and pharamists. I use Walgreens and they are like Target- they really keep good track and are willing to help you out. The pharamist have my filed marked for no huge pills. So if a prescribe is given to me that is a big pill... the pharamists kindly calls my doctor and they work it out. I is critical to just talk to those that handle the medicines and not take it into your own hands. By the way, very useful thread for those getting banded, doing research about banding, and creating new medications.

[gwyllgi 0]

Just to buck the system, I have to confess that I do crush a time-release pill - at the urging of my pharmacist and doctor. (And even then, only after multiple calls to both to be sure that it wouldn't result in problems.) Instead of taking two of the pills in the morning as I did pre-band, I now crush one in the morning and crush the other around lunch time if I feel that I need it.

In most cases, though, there are other alternatives if you are unable to swallow pills. Many medications come in liquid forms. Others have regular-release versions that you can take instead. Others come as chewables. In the course of getting my Lap-Band, I've switched to all three of those without much problem. Talk to your doctors, talk to your pharmacists if you're concerned about ANYthing. They're there to help you.

If you do wind up crushing, though, be prepared for them to taste FOUL.

[MerryHearted 20]

Not a useless thread.

I drink something warm before taking a larger pill. Hot tea or coffee. And then take the pill once my drink is cool enough to take a big swig. And then I finish the drink, to make sure I wash it through.

The only pill I've had trouble with was a gimongous enteric-coated fish oil pill. That hurt. I now take my fish oil in a pudding-like form from Coromega. Tastes nasty, so I take them as often as I should. :bolt:

[lafrogura 0]

I am in trouble. It has been 3 days now that I have been unable to swallow my Metformin ER pills. They cannot be cut, crushed or chewed, etc. They have to be swallowed whole. I have swallowed them but come the next morning with the first bite of food they come right back up, whole, covered in slime and expanded but I have called the doc's office and they said the band is too tight. I finally have good restriction after having the band already for 2 years. I do not want an unfill. OMG! This is just too much!

[MerryHearted 20]

metformin - Pill Identification Wizard | Drugs.com

Are they the round ones, or the oval? They look to be the same dose, so if it's one shape that's getting stuck, can you check w/your pcp to see if they can prescribe the other shape (maybe just a few pills to try it), or if there's another pill that does the same thing but has a smaller pill or can be broken?

I'm not too tight, but I am tighter than I was when I last replied to this thread, and I do have issues from time to time. Hot Water or tea sure helps, both before and after, and not lying down right after taking something (let gravity help).

Hope you are able to work it out without having to get an unfill.

[Mariasha 3]

I am in trouble. It has been 3 days now that I have been unable to swallow my Metformin ER pills. They cannot be cut, crushed or chewed, etc. They have to be swallowed whole. I have swallowed them but come the next morning with the first bite of food they come right back up, whole, covered in slime and expanded but I have called the doc's office and they said the band is too tight. I finally have good restriction after having the band already for 2 years. I do not want an unfill. OMG! This is just too much!

Metformin is also available in liquid form.

Its called Riomet and made by a company called Ranbaxy.

I would ask your doctor if you can take it instead of your pills.< /p>

[jalomum 1]

I am in trouble. It has been 3 days now that I have been unable to swallow my Metformin ER pills. !

If you are not eating as much or as regularly then you probably don't need Metformin ER and could change to ther regular one that can be broken into a million pieces (or more)

You need to get this sorted as the increase in fasting blood sugar will make you gain weight and counter-act your good restriction. You need to take this medicine.

[lafrogura 0]

Thank you all for the helpful information! It's very much appreciated. Also, I do not take Metformin for Diabetes, I take it because of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. I have terrible, excruciating pelvic pain without Metformin so I do not want to be without it. I have an appointment with the doc on Aug. 9th but I'll be in the E.R. before then.

[BetsyB 9]

I have trouble with pills-- I've had my doctor/pharmacist substitute liquids whenever possible.

While I have very little difficulty with any food, pills are a huge issue for me.

I can handle very tiny ones. I can handle gelcaps/capsules containing powder because they dissolve before they have to pass through my stoma.

But timed-release meds are intended to be released gradually as they pass through the gut---so they are resistant to dissolution in the stomach. And they can't be broken or crushed for dosing safety purposes.

If I were prescribed one of these meds, I would ask for it to be dispensed in the tiniest dose possible, even if that meant I had to take more than one. For me, the larger the pill, the more potential for problem.

[lafrogura 0]

thank you for the info betsy. that helps explain why they don't dissolve and become stuck

[LarraineM 6]

I was takeing a ER pain medication for a bad disk in my back up untill my surgery date 10/09. I took a couple afterwards and had BIG TIME problems........broke out in a sweat and dizzy. I discontinued using. I read somewhere I don't recall where put the article sighted problems with time release medications staying in your stomach much longer than usual with the band, and could cause problems. Luckily takeing off the weight/ and exercising have kept me off the pain meds..........So I am benefiting in ways that I never could have thought possiable.

[CarolWA 0]

I did have one time release capsule that I took before being banded. Dr said I couldn't take it anymore. Instead of 180mg in time release once a day, I have to take 1 60mg 3 times a day. I cut it in half and it hasn't been a problem.

I also take 2 small capsules with no problem and a huge caplet (osteo bi flex) that I cut up in small pieces for joint pain.

[GipsyGirl 6]

Here is my dilemma - my nutritionist told me to never take whole pills because they may cause ulcers. What was that about???

[knoebelcamper 1]

I have the same problem and even the doctor or the nurses can't give me an answer. I was banded this past Friday. I was so frustrated because I am not getting the answers I NEED. So, I have been taking my timed released pill, my thyroid, my blood pressure and I suffer with restless leg syndrome and I've been taking that too. So far, it has been successful; however, when I start getting the fills, Im not sure if I will be able to continue and then what am I going to do? My medical doctor has been trying to get answers as well, but really hasn't gotten a firm answer. They don't seem to realize that some pills are not crushable nor do they come in liquid form. "AND" if they do, they taste so bad that I can't get them down anyway. I now have a very bad sore throat and Im not sure what to do. Some people have said they had a great surgeon - I can only wish I would have had the same. If I find out anything to your question, I will let you know.

[Bonnie_Lass 1]

Here is my dilemma - my nutritionist told me to never take whole pills because they may cause ulcers. What was that about???

I've never heard that applied to all pills, but I certainly have heard of it for certain ones. Some will say not to take NSAIDs after banding (eg ibuprofen, aspirin) as they are hard on the lining of the stomach and with the band they will be in much the same spot instead of different areas of the stomach in a person without a band. Because of that they may cause ulcers. I know there are other pills too, but your pharmacist or doctor should be able to tell you which ones pose a greater risk for ulcers.