A pharmacist has warned all medication users to avoid making a major error when taking tablets. Pharmacist Anum said the mistake can be very “dangerous” in some cases
Millions of people take medication regularly, but a warning has recently been issued to people who use popular tablets. A pharmacist said people often make a major mistake when taking tablets, and it can actually pose “dangerous” risks.
Pharmacist Anum, as she’s known online, is recognised for sharing handy health advice, and her latest expert guidance will help a lot of people, and may just change the way they take medicine forever. She detailed the key error many people make when taking tablets, and it could be causing a lot more harm than they realise, so they need to take note.
It’s not the first time she’s posted vital information either. Just weeks ago, she issued another health alert regarding the use of statins.
In a recent clip, she said: “Did you know that crushing your tablets, or opening capsules and just taking the powder, can be dangerous? Yes, you heard that correctly. Not all tablets are suitable to be crushed, and not all capsules are suitable to be opened.
“Some are modified release so, if you are crushing these tablets, or opening the capsules, you could impact the release profile of the medication, meaning that it might not last as long, and you can increase the risk of side effects.
“Some have an enteric coating. What this means is that it can help to protect your stomach from the medication, and also it can protect the medication from the acid in your stomach.
“You do not want to be tampering with this coating. More concerningly, some tablets and capsules can be irritating and harmful to you if touched once they’ve been crushed.
“So, before taking matters into your own hands, if you’re struggling to swallow your medication, please speak with your pharmacist or GP, so they can discuss your options. It could be liquids, it could be smaller tablets, but have that discussion first.”
While crushing, cutting or opening capsules may seem like a “simple fix”, she warned people to avoid doing it. In a nutshell, it can result in some serious issues and can even make medication less effective.
What you need to know
Little you may know, you should never crush your medication before you take it without consulting a pharmacist or doctor first. This is because the action can destroy the medication’s effectiveness, cause dangerous overdoses or even result in harmful side effects.
While some tablets can be crushed, extended-release, enteric-coated or specialised medications should not be altered in any way. When you crush extended-release (e.g. XL, XR, CR) or enteric-coated medications, it can lead to the entire dose being released at once, which can cause toxicity.
If you struggle to take medication, you should always consult your GP to see if there is a better alternative available to you. However, there are times when they may advise you it’s safe to crush medication.
In this instance, you should always use a designated tablet crusher or pill splitter. Never use kitchen utensils, as you need to ensure the full dose is administered.
If you have any concerns about your medication or health in general, contact your GP for further advice. Guidance may also be available on the NHS website.