Khaberni - A clinical pharmacist warned about the dangers of tampering with the method of taking medications, as part of her efforts to raise awareness about common mistakes that many might make without realizing their consequences.
In an educational video on "Instagram", British pharmacist Anum explained that not all medication tablets are suitable for crushing, nor are all capsules meant to be opened, noting that some medications are time-released, meaning they are designed to gradually release the active substance inside the body.
She added that tampering with this type of medication could disrupt its mechanism of action, causing it to lose its effect quickly and increasing the likelihood of experiencing side effects.
She also highlighted that some medications are coated with a lining that protects the stomach from the medication's effects and protects the medication from the stomach's acidity, stressing that breaking this coating could cause irritation or health damage, in addition to some tablets being harmful to touch after being crushed.
The pharmacist urged the necessity to consult a doctor or pharmacist before crushing any medication, especially if there is difficulty swallowing, emphasizing the importance of discussing safe alternatives instead of resorting to individual solutions that might be dangerous.
She pointed out that the pharmacist can suggest appropriate options, such as liquid medications or smaller-sized tablets, to ensure the continuation of treatment in a correct and safe manner.
Anum confirmed in her comment on the video that many people may cause themselves greater harm when they believe they have found a "simple solution", indicating that changing the form of the medication without specialist consultation could lead to adverse results.
She wrote: "Crushing capsules or opening them might seem easy, but it can cause serious problems and reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. Therefore, always talk to the pharmacist or doctor before modifying the way any medication is taken."
Meanwhile, the British National Health Service (NHS) emphasized not changing the form of the medication or the way it is taken without medical consultation, warning that this could lead to the medication losing its effectiveness.
The agency also recommended several guidelines to facilitate swallowing tablets, including taking them with water and leaning slightly forward while swallowing, and gradually practicing swallowing small pieces of food to improve swallowing ability.
