Not all medication should be crushed for taking. The Pharmacy Department from SingHealth Community Hospitals (SCH) shares the types of medication that should not be crushed and how to identify them.
Not all medication can be crushed for consumption
Crushing pills for easy consumption can be dangerous as it can alter the absorption and stability of the medication, resulting in a higher risk of gastric irritation. At times, crushing medication inappropriately can even lead to hazardous consequences.
The
Pharmacy Department from
SingHealth Community Hospitals (SCH), a member of the
SingHealth group, explains more.
How to identify medication that
should not be crushed
1. Medication name that contains acronyms* such as:
* This list is not exhaustive
2. Medication that is in the form of a capsule / granule / pellet
3. Medication that is a hazardous drug
4. Medication that has the cautionary label "Swallow whole, do not crush"
Common medication that
should not be crushed
Alfuzosin XL | 
Tamsulosin PR |
Sodium chloride SR | 
Sodium valporate chrono |
Madopar HBS | |
Medication tips
1. Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you (or the patient) have swallowing issues.
2. Always
check with your doctor or pharmacist first whether it is safe to cut your medication in half.
Ref: L20
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