Can I Crush Tablets? 6 Possible Risks

Some people crush medicines to make them easier to swallow. But in some cases this can change the way the tablets work. What risks can this habit pose? Then learn interesting things about this topic. 

For some people, it is much easier to crush medication first to make it easier to swallow. But this can change the effect of certain tablets or capsules. Therefore, all medicines should be taken in their original form.

Why shouldn’t we crush medicines?

Many people crush medicines to make them easier to swallow. However, an article published in the specialist journal Nursing indicates  that this can lead to changes in the structure, which makes it possible for the active ingredients to be released over a longer period of time. So it is absolutely not advisable to shred them.

However, this is not the only reason why medicines should be taken in their original form. We will then go into more detail on this topic.

1. Loss of stability of the drug due to crushing

Older people in particular often have difficulty swallowing medicines. People with behavioral disorders often find it difficult to do so. That is why they often open capsules or crush tablets, but this can change the stability of the active ingredients. 

This can cause these drugs to lose their effectiveness. In addition, they are often very unpleasant in taste, which is not the case when they are taken in their original form.

2. Dosing error

In general, only those tablets that have a score line can be divided. If this is not the case, it is not possible to specify the dosage. The shape, size, or protective cover of the drug often does not allow it to be divided correctly.

If you want to cut the dose in half, you don’t know whether the active ingredient is evenly distributed in both halves. Therefore, there may be dosage errors that could cause health problems. 

3. Modified release of the active ingredient

If you crush the medication, the dose given can change significantly. For example, it can mean that the dose of active ingredient is not released slowly but all at once,  which could result in an overdose with corresponding side effects.

Some drugs have a protective coating that allows the drug to be specifically absorbed. This can be used to regulate the recording speed. However, if this protective cover is changed by the crushing, the correct release of the active ingredient can no longer be guaranteed.

This affects the dosage and can lead to a dose that is too low or too high. The concentrations of the drug could even be toxic or increase the likelihood of side effects. 

4. Changes in the absorption of the drug due to the crushing

Some drugs have a specific protective coating that ensures that the active ingredient is not released in the stomach, but only in the intestine. This protective cover protects the sensitive gastric mucosa and also the effect of the gastric acids on the active ingredient. The stomach acid could influence the effectiveness of the drug, destroy it or delay the effect.

Shredding changes this protective coating and this has a negative effect on the effectiveness of the drug. It could also irritate the stomach. Other side effects could also arise as a result. 

5. Changed mode of action due to the crushing of a drug

Sublingual tablets are placed under the tongue and quickly dissolve, which also allows for a quick effect. The active ingredients get into the bloodstream in a very short time. But crushing these drugs changes their stability and how they work. That is why it is not recommended in any case.

6. Risks from the processing of pharmaceuticals

Crushing or crushing certain drugs  can release active ingredients and get into the airways. This is risky for the person handling the medication, as the active ingredients could irritate the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Pregnant women or women who are planning a pregnancy should be particularly careful when handling drugs, as some of them are teratogenic. This means that they could cause malformations.

Better not to crush medication!

So it is advisable not to crush medication. If it is difficult to swallow, it is best to talk to your doctor. They can prescribe alternatives that are easier to take without you having to edit the medicines yourself. This way you can avoid possible risks. Be sure to seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist, because your health is at stake!