You can crush and administer tablets in some cases and it is safe but at the same time its dangerous in many others depending on the type of medicine.
Crushing medicines while administering through RT also needs special concerns.
You can crush the tablets if
- The tablet is simple immediate -release form
- If you have trouble swallowing and crushing improves compliance.
When it’s dangerous?
Drugs that are designed to release medicine slowly over time.
Crushing them can leads to release all the drugs at once which leads to overdose or side effects.
Extended- Release:
- Letters like ER/ XR/ SR/ XL/ LA
- Special coating.
Enteric-Coated:
These tablets are coated to protect the stomach or to prevent the drug from dissolving until it reaches the intestine.
Crushing them can:
- Upset the stomach
- Destroy the medicine
- Examples: Aspirin EC, some iron supplements.
Some can burn your mouth / throat if crushed.
Some drugs work in specific dose window, so changing how they are released can be risky.
Right drug, right dose, right form absolutely provides safe therapy.
Even in hospitals every nursing staffs should be aware of Don’t crush the medicine list to avoid dangerous effects after administrations.
Do you know any other drug that should not be crushed?