Don’t Rush to Crush
Crushing tablets, opening capsules or altering medication may have an adverse effect on how your medication works.
Likewise, if you mix food substances such as yoghurt, fruit puree or jam with your medication, be aware that it may impact the efficacy, side effect profile and absorption of the medication.
Why you shouldn’t crush
In some cases, crushing medication doesn’t have an impact on the efficacy of the medication. However, in some cases it could be a serious problem. For example, slow-release tablets have a special coating design that releases a small amount of active ingredient during multiple hours of the day (even up to 24 hours). Your body only gets a small amount of the active ingredient at a time. But by crushing the tablet, the full amount of active ingredient is released at once in the stomach. This can lead to an overdosage which can even lead to death.
There is another type of important coating: the enteric coating, which is is resistant to the stomach acid. If the medication can cause irritation, the Enteric coating protects the stomach wall from stomach ulcers. It also protects the active ingredient of the medication against stomach acid, which can inactivate the active ingredient making the medication ineffective.
Why you shouldn’t use food
Are you using the below to assist with the intake of the medication?
- Thickened fluids
- Fruit puree or Fruit juice
- Yoghurt, Custard or Ice cream
- Jam or Honey
None of these substances have been designed for use with medications and can potentially impact the efficacy, side effect profile and absorption of the medication.
Using food is a common workaround, however it has an impact on the efficacy of the medication. For example, paracetamol (or acetaminophen) when taken with yoghurt, loses a staggering 60% of active ingredient! Another example – a Beta Blocker taken with Orange juice or Apple sauce loses of 80% active ingredient! This means a massive underdose.
In addition, many pills can’t be taken with dairy (i.e. yoghurt) as it decreases efficacy, caffeine can increase or decrease efficacy, and grapefruit juice can give you a massive overdose if combined with specific medications.
Don’t take the risk; use Gloup® instead
Gloup® is the first purpose designed medication lubricant available in Australia is intended to make swallowing medications and vitamin supplements such as tablets, capsules and powders easier.
- Effective lubricating gel that may negate the need to crush/alter medication.
- No known drug interactions.
- Designed to break down immediately once in the stomach, therefore having minimal or no impact on absorption.
- Cost comparable to yoghurt, fruit puree or jam.
More information about IDDSI here: https://iddsi.org.
Why use Gloup®?
At least 4 out of 10 people face problems with the intake of oral medication. To assist with swallowing, many people use foods such as yoghurt, fruit puree or jam. None of these substances have been designed for use with medications and can impact the efficacy, side effect profile and absorption of the drug.
Medications are designed and tested to be taken according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Always consult your Pharmacist before altering your medication.
Watch the below Gloup® demonstration of lubricating properties vs yoghurt and fruit puree.
Watch the demonstration of swallowing pills with Gloup®
Gloup® vs. Water
Gloup® vs. Apple Sauce
Makes medications easier to swallow
100% Natural
Multiple flavours
Medical Device Class 1