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Medicines
Sent to Health Experts July 18 02:04 PM

I have received conflicting reports regarding a dilemma I have with my father. He is 83 years old, with many medical conditions, and due to his dementia and residuals from many strokes, he has recently been unable to swallow his pills whole...unknowingly, his caregiver took it upon himself to allow him to chew the pills. I immediately spoke to our pharmacist regarding this, giving him each individual medication, whereupon he spoke to the manufacturers to find out the dangers in this. He proceeded to tell me that this was absolutely unadvisable, and only one of the meds was available in a liquid form. I continued to speak to my father's primary physician, whereupon he completely had the opposite opinion, feeling that crushing these meds would not be harmful. He has always had a pretty casual attitude, considering my father's age and condition, however I certainly do not want to jeopardize the effects the meds might have when taken in this manner. At this time ,I do not know where to turn to receive the correct answer. The medicines are the following.....amaryl (generic), proscar, vasotec, effexor (capsule), aggrenox (capsule), zocor, razadyne, trazadone, protonix and senokot. I will await your response. Thank you, MELODIE KRAMER

 

Optional Information:
Male , Age: 82

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $9
Answer
July 18 2:48 PM (44 minutes and 16 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

The only med that your father is taking that should NOT be chewed or crushed is Protonix. Protonix Delayed-Release Tablets should not be split, crushed, or chewed. The tablets should be swallowed whole, with or without food in the stomach. This is so that the chemicals in the pill will bind to the (H+,K+)-ATPase to cause an antisecretory effect. If the pill is chewed, then it is dispersed in the saliva which can break it down before it reaches the (H+,K+)-ATPase receptor sites where it will do the most good. http://www.wyeth.com/content/ShowLabeling.asp?id=135

All of the other meds are appropriate to crush prior to your father ingesting them.



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Diplomate, American Board of Quality Assurance & Utilization Review Physicians
Reply
July 18 2:58 PM (9 minutes and 41 seconds later)
         
Reply to Dr. Hanson's Post: Dr. Hanson
What about the capsules...how are they to be taken..the effexor is the extended relief...would it be more beneficial to change it to the regualr effexor capsules, so they may be opened up?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
July 18 5:03 PM (2 hours and 5 minutes and 42 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

"would it be more beneficial to change it to the regualr effexor capsules, so they may be opened up?"

No. It would not be more beneficial to change it to the regular effexor. Effexor only comes in tablets. Effexor XR comes in capsules. Since Effexor XR "capsules" provide a slower rate of absorption, but the same extent of absorption compared with the immediate release "tablets", then you should open the capsule and administer the contents to your father rather than purchasing the rapidly absorbably Effexor "tablets".



Please click the green "ACCEPT" button.     A "BONUS" and "POSITIVE FEEDBACK" are appreciated!
Dr. Hanson -- Doctor (MD)99% Positive Feedback on 820 Health Accepts
Diplomate, American Board of Quality Assurance & Utilization Review Physicians
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