Medication

[Julie9627]

Hi I have a question I'm on plequnil unable to swallow them does anyone have the same issues? Can you crush them ? I try to swallow and nothing happens sometimes happens when I'm drinking just liquid also

[Porky]

I wouldn't as they are very bitter and not sure they are intended to be crushed.

I don't have a problem with taking tablets but find them very bitter.

[Julie9627 in reply to Porky]

Thank you , my R.A Doc says there is nothing else I can take and she was unsure if they could be crushed some pharmacist say yes others say no or cut in half , I'm at a loss as to what to do

[CRYSTAL11 in reply to Julie9627]

I have cut mine into quarters before I could stand to take a whole one. My doctor ok it that way. I took 1/4 for the first two weeks and carried on putting it up every two weeks.

[Julie9627 in reply to CRYSTAL11]

Thank you I'm asking my doctor now but she's very slow to respond

[happytulip]

It should be possible for a pharmacist to source them in a suspension ( liquid form), but as a rule they should not be crushed or halved, unless things have changed.

[Julie9627 in reply to happytulip]

Ok thank you , I'm not sure if it comes in a liquid form as no one has said anything to me about a liquid

[happytulip in reply to Julie9627]

All medications should be available in a liquid form, although it may be very difficult to obtain it. This is because of two reasons. 1. Some children/adolescents can't swallow tablets. 2. Some patients who have had surgery on their upper GI tract, or are unable to swallow safely due to something like a stroke wikk need to be fed by a tube into their stomach (a PEG tube). Therefore the medication should be obtainable in liquid for somehow.

I'm not saying it will be easy to get, but this is why is why it should be available.

[happytulip in reply to Julie9627]

If you are in the UK google "hydroxychlorquine suspension UK" and it comes up with a list of suppliers.

[Julie9627]

Sorry not in the U.K. But I'll see if anything comes up here

[Barbs51]

Hi, I can't swallow tablets either and my doctor allows me to crush my hydroxy tablets and immerse in water to take. They do a liquid form but it is very expensive. Hope that helps 🌺

[Julie9627 in reply to Barbs51]

Do you drop the medicine in water and then drink it after crushing it ?

[Barbs51 in reply to Julie9627]

Yes, I crush them and then drop them into the water. I've been doing this from the start and nearly two years taking them now. I'm assuming your tablets are film coated like mine? It works for me and I did get medical advice before I started. ......

[Julie9627 in reply to Barbs51]

Yes mine are film coated are yours the 200 mg one ?

[Barbs51 in reply to Julie9627]

Yes, I take 2 x 500mg one day and 1 x 500gm alternative days 👍🏻🌺

[Julie9627 in reply to Barbs51]

Ok thank you so much for your help

[weathervane]

Initially when i started Hydroxychloroquine it had a coating and was easier to swallow, i now find the one i get now sticks in my throat and tastes awful . Would it help if you put the tablet in a spoonful of yogurt or honey which may help it slip down ? 🌸

[Julie9627 in reply to weathervane]

I have tried that not with honey because I do not like honey I've tried with yogurt and the yogurt goes down but not the pill

[janekins]

I am in the UK and have hydroxychloroquine suspension. My local hospital pharmacy used to make it up for me but they now get it made up from somewhere else. Can you not take the tablets with food? I'm pretty hopeless at swallowing tablets but do manage when I take them with meals or some bread and butter.

Good luck

Jane

[Julie9627 in reply to janekins]

Yes I am completely hopeless when it comes to swallowing pills I crush everything I get , unfortunately in the states liquid is not available only pill form some pharmacists have said I can crush and take with milk others say no , so I'm really confused as to what can happen from crushing I even called manufacturer and she said crushing their brand hasn't been tested yet

[janekins in reply to Julie9627]

Hi Julie

So can you not even take the tablets with food? I just looked online and found that plaquenil can be taken with meals. I always take my warfarin and statin tablets with my evening meal and they slide down easily. I used to be the world's worst pill taker!!!!

Good luck

Jane

[Julie9627 in reply to janekins]

I used to be ok with swallowing my birth control pills then I recently got upper and lower implants full set and can't swallow my birth control pills anymore I put it on the back of my tongue and drink and the liquid goes down but not the pill so now I crush my birth control which is super tiny

[chrisj]

I'd crush them and take them with fruit juice, or with a little jam, something thats sweet. Cant see any reason why you can't do it that way

[Julie9627 in reply to chrisj]

Ok thank you