Trouble taking antibiotics-can I crush them?

Question

I have to take a course of gastro-resistant antibiotics called Tiloryth ( Erythromycin) 250mg.

My GP has prescribed them for a severe cough.

Problem is I have a phobia of swallowing capsules and these are big plasticy looking ones.

I know it`s pathetic-but I normally crush them 1st.

However these say not to crush or chew on the packet.

Is it safe to open the caps and swallow the contents?

Thanks

Answer 1

The enteric-coating (plasticy looking thing) of a capsule is there for a specific purpose. It protects erythromycin base from inactivation by stomach acidity. The drug has to reach from stomach to small intestine in intact form. Coating gets dissolved there & erythromycin is absorbed into the blood.

Don't crush or open the contents of the capsule. They will be neutralised in stomach even before reaching site of absorption i.e. small intestine.

My advice is try taking the capsule (it is not as hard as it appears to be) or consult your GP whether you can take erythromycin in another form like chewable tablet or liquid.

Answer 2

As long as they are not "time release" (call your doctor or pharmacist to find out), then you can probably crush them.  But you should call your doctor or pharmacist first to be sure.  One easy phone call for some free quick advice.

But crush them only if they are "tablets".  If they are capsules, then pull them apart (for two-piece capsules) or cut them in half (for sealed capsules) and extract the contents.  The capsule shell itself typically is not made from any active ingredients.

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See that?  You didn't even have to call!

Thanks, Dr. Ranishwaura!

Answer 3

no it's not right to open a caps or chewing a tablet,

a tablet may only be split ONLY IF it is designed for such. usually it has a groove on its surface indicating that it could be split.

my advice to u to ask ur GP/Pharmacist for another pharmaceutical form i.e: suspension or divided smaller doses.

Answer 4

To be on the safe side I would check with my pharmacist.

Answer 5

Unfortunately, it is recommended that you DO NOT open, chew or crush the capsules as that could effect the effectiveness of this particular antibiotic.  A good method that I use to swallow large pills:  take a good size drink of water but don't swallow yet.  Next, tilt your head all the way back, open your mouth, drop the pill in the center, close mouth, tilt head back to normal and then swallow.  With the capsule floating around freely in all the water in your mouth it makes it so much easier for it to go easily down your throat with all the water surrounding it.  Hope this helps.  Oh, and don't forget to take the entire prescription until it is finished.......even if you find you are starting to feel better.  It can sometimes take up to four days before antibiotics build up enough in the blood stream to start being effective.