Dangers of crushing pills highlighted

Pharmaceutical experts have warned that crushing pills could have hazardous and potentially fatal side effects.

Many pills have special coatings that control the release of drugs and some drugs are adversely affected by exposure to air.

Crushing pills may also lead to release of potentially toxic and irritant substances into the air which may be hazardous to the carer.

Around two thirds of older people are thought to suffer from difficulty in swallowing, but some drugs are available in liquid, patch, inhaler or suppository form.

Research indicates that four out of five nurses in care homes crush hard to swallow pills for older people who have difficulty swallowing tablets.

Medications that should definitely not be crushed include cancer drug tamoxifen and pain relief drug morphine.

Other tablets have special slow release coatings which if the tablet is crushed may result in the release a dangerously high dosage when crushed and swallowed.

Experts warn that while uncommon, fatalities have occurred when medications in tablet or capsule form have been crushed or opened to make swallowing easier for the patient.

People have been advised to contact their health care professional or doctor to inquire if medicines may be obtained in an alternative form.

(SP/EF)