Taking Antibiotic Capsules?

[georgia girl 35]

Hi all. My family doctor put me on an antibiotic today (Clindamycin) and it comes in capsules. It wasn't available in liquid form and I have to take 8 capsules per day! I tried breaking them open and mixing it in yogurt and I threw up because the taste was soooo bad....YUCK! Now I feel sick!

Seems like I read somewhere that you could put the capsules in a bowl of warm Water to start breaking the outside shell down and then swallow them. Anyone had any luck with that?

I've never swallowed a whole pill since being banded, so I'm not sure if it would get stuck.

I'm supposed to take 2 at a time, 4 times a day. Do I put them in warm water separately, waiting a few minutes in between? Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[delo 1]

georgia girl, try emptying the capsules in some applesauce. if the taste is real bad maybe you can try to swallow one and see if it goes down. I don't have any problems with my pills since being banded. maybe you can call the doctor and get different pills?

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I agree with Delo...call the doctor and get a different antibiotic!

[2BHealthE! 1]

Do NOT open the capsules. Do NOT soak them to break down the shell. The medicine is in the capsule for a reason, so that it will dissolve in a specific spot in your GI tract (often times after your stomach).

There are are a number of things that affect what you should do:

1. How long have you been banded?

2. How restricted are you?

3. Have tried to take even one capsule to see how it goes?

I have a medication in capsule form that I have to take everyday. In the words of my surgeon "Let's see how it goes, it may not be a problem." Sure enough, it goes through just fine. I wouldn't ask for a switch before I at least tried one capsule.

Just my opinion, from a long-time nursing career and Nurse Practitioner in Training

[Snowgator 3]

My doctor said capsules are okay to take, since the gastric juices in your new small upper stomach are strong enough to dissolve the Gelatin capsule before it goes into the larger part of your stomach.

[Laurinda 1]

Clindamycin does come in a liquid form. If your pharmacy did not have it in stock they should be able to order it for you (most cases it's in the next day) I know the adult dose comes in 150 mg or 300 mg per capsule. Looks like the suspension is 10 mg/ml, Lordie you would have to take a mess load!

Well bless your heart the option is there if you want to look into it.

IJPC Abstract: Clindamycin 10-mg/mL Oral Suspension

Clindamycin Suspension facts and comparsions at Drugs.com

Good-Luck!!

[Laurinda 1]

Btw~ I looked up Clindamycin in the 2008 "Pharmacy's Red Book" and it is not listed as a med. that can not be chewed, crushed, or opened <shrug>

But as always check

[georgia girl 35]

Thanks for all the replies. I did ask the pharmacist if it could be opened and he said yes. They didn't have the liquid in stock and he said that the liquid form tasted just as bad as the inside of the capsule.

I ended up taking them whole about 45 minutes ago. I spaced them out by about 5 minutes. They didn't get stuck, but I do feel a bit of a burning sensation in my chest. Not sure why?

Anyway, I'm not sure as to what I will do in the morning. I'm usually a little tight in the mornings and I worry about it getting stuck. I may just call the doctor and see if there is another antibiotic that would work. Maybe one that I could slice into pieces?

Thanks for the links Laurinda. I appreciate it!

[Laurinda 1]

Your welcome Hope it all works out for you!

[areellady 1]

I recently was given a capsule to take as well, and it is HUGE....I have had no problems but definitely give some time in between taking them. I really think that they are so slippery with the Water going down that unless you are already stuck or have not waited long enough after eating, you will be fine. My daily pill I take, which is NOT a capsule, is a bit different. I have gotten stuck on it for some reason....it doesnt happen all the time, but it has happened.

[georgia girl 35]

Thanks areellady! I took both pills this morning they went down fine. I'm still getting a slight burning sensation in my chest, but it only lasted about 30 minutes. I suppose it could be the medicine itself causing the burn.

It's a relief that they went down because there's no way I could mix the powder in my food again....UGH, so nasty!