Which medications should not be administered to patients who have difficulty swallowing and require medications to be crushed?

Medications that are time-release and enteric-coated should not be administered to patients who have difficulty swallowing and require medications to be crushed due to their specific formulations designed for controlled release or targeted absorption.

Time-release tablets are engineered to dissolve slowly over an extended period, which ensures a steady release of the active ingredient into the bloodstream. Crushing these tablets can disrupt this mechanism, potentially leading to a rapid release of the drug that may cause increased side effects or toxicity, as well as reduced efficacy.

Enteric-coated tablets have a protective coating that prevents the medication from dissolving in the stomach, allowing it to be absorbed in the intestines instead. Crushing these tablets also removes this coating, which could lead to irritation of the stomach lining or altered absorption rates, compromising the effectiveness of the medication and causing potential harm.

In contrast, liquid medications can be easily swallowed, while sublingual and chewable tablets have formulations specifically made to be taken without the need for water and are designed to dissolve in the mouth, making them suitable alternatives for patients who have difficulty swallowing. Regular tablets can often be crushed unless specified otherwise; however, it’s essential to verify with a pharmacist or prescribing information.