What size pills do you need to break or crush? - ThinnerTimes

Sue0609 · 06-13-2008, 07:23 AM

I am just 4 days post-op. I was told that none of my meds need to be broken because they are all smaller than a dime. I am currently taking Singulair (tiny pill), Allegra (large round pill), Oxycodone (large round pill), Biotin (capsule), chewable Acidophilus, a chewable anti-nausea and and Prevacid. I'll be adding the other vits in 2 weeks.

What size pills are you crushing? I haven't had an issue with the Allegra, which is the largest of the pills. Do you agree with the "dime rule"? What pills have gotten stuck for you?

bridgetgirl · 06-13-2008, 08:50 AM

I can only speak from my personal experience, I havent had to break anything up and I have taken some big ol honkin pills in my WLS lifetime. Thats me though

soon2bthin · 06-13-2008, 08:54 AM

My docs advice was if I can't suck it through a straw to chew or crush it for the rest of my life.

mistymee · 06-13-2008, 10:20 AM

My surgeon says if it's not smaller than a pencil eraser, it has to be crushed for the rest of my life. And no time-released meds allowed at all.

Sue0609 · 06-13-2008, 02:14 PM

Thanks. After doing some research I learned that neither fexofenadine (Allegra without the D) and Singulair are not time released. Singulair is small and I guess I'll take it whole. I found something online that says Allegra can be broken but not crushed, so I'll start splitting that. I haven't had an issue so far, but better safe than sorry.

Slightly OT, but what do people take for menstrual cramps? I always took Motrin, but that's a no dice now. And experience has proven to me that Tylenol doesn't do anything. What other options are there?

Godsblessedme · 06-13-2008, 03:14 PM

its funny i couldnt (still cant) choke down pills i use chewables, but when i have a headache i'm quick to pop a tylenol

mistymee · 06-13-2008, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sue0609

Thanks. After doing some research I learned that neither fexofenadine (Allegra without the D) and Singulair are not time released. Singulair is small and I guess I'll take it whole. I found something online that says Allegra can be broken but not crushed, so I'll start splitting that. I haven't had an issue so far, but better safe than sorry.

Slightly OT, but what do people take for menstrual cramps? I always took Motrin, but that's a no dice now. And experience has proven to me that Tylenol doesn't do anything. What other options are there?

Can't help with the cramps issue, as I don't have those anymore (Thank heavens!!)

I did have to take that fexofenodine, but my insurance company no longer covers it now that Zyrtec is available over the counter.. seems to work just as good, and it's small enough that I don't have to worry about crushing or cutting it up.. Depending on your co-pays, you might want to ask your doc about that med instead? (it's sold as a generic, too)

Sue0609 · 06-13-2008, 08:59 PM

I take the generic Fexofenadine, not the name brand Allegra. But I'm lucky, my insurance covers just about everything. I think the co-pay on that one is $10. The Singulair is more, since it's name brand ($20 I think) and the Advair is the wopper at $40 per month.

mistymee · 06-13-2008, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sue0609

I take the generic Fexofenadine, not the name brand Allegra. But I'm lucky, my insurance covers just about everything. I think the co-pay on that one is $10. The Singulair is more, since it's name brand ($20 I think) and the Advair is the wopper at $40 per month.

yeah, I took the generic Fexo as well.. I hated the coating on it, which made them impossible to crush. The zyrtec is so small it is very easy to swallow, so I'm happy with that change.

sherry7 · 06-14-2008, 05:35 PM

Regarding allergy meds...

I buy the generic Zyrtec at Sam's Club. The pill is super tiny, and I got 300 of them for around $15 I think...so it's now much cheaper than what I was paying when it was covered by my insurance.