Do Not Crush Medication List

What Medication Cannot Be Crushed?

There are many different ways to split tablets in half. One way is to purchase a tablet splitter from your local pharmacy . These tablet splitters are safe and easy to use. All you need to do is to place the tablet in the proper place and then when the splitter is closed, a steel blade cuts the tablet in halves. Some tablets are scored and have a line dividing the dose in half and may be able to be snapped in half using your fingers. Other alternatives used are splitting by hands (for scored tablets) or with scissors (for unscored tablets), or with a kitchen knife.

However, there are medications that should never be crushed of spitted. The institute for safe medication practice (ISMP) provides a list of oral dosage forms that should not be crushed, commonly referred to as the “Do Not Crush”. This list contains medications that should not be crushed because of their special pharmaceutical formulations or characteristics, such as oral dosage forms that are sustained-release in nature.

The ISMP do not crush list is provided in the table below:

_{a: Capsule may be opened and the contents taken without chewing or crushing; soft food such as applesauce  or pudding may facilitate administration; contents may generally be administered via NG tube using an appropriate fluid provided entire contents are washed down the tube.}

_{b: Liquid dosage forms of the product are available; however, dose, frequency of administration, and manufacturers may differ from that of the solid dosage form.}

_{c: Antacids and/or milk may prematurely dissolve the coating of the tablet.}

_{d: Capsule may be opened and the liquid contents removed for administration.}

_{e: The taste of this product in a liquid form would likely be unacceptable to the patient; administration via NG tube should be acceptable.}

_{f: Effervescent tablets must be dissolved in the amount of diluent recommended by the manufacturer.}

_{g: Tablets are made to disintegrate under the tongue.}

_{h: Tablet is scored and may be broken in half without affecting release characteristics.}

_{i: Skin contact may enhance tumor production; avoid direct contact.}

For More Information Visit : What Are The 5 R’s For Medication Safety?