Pills that cannot be crushed for Feeding Tube

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Logan51
Logan51 Member Posts: 464 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Asked 2 Pharmacists, one w/CVS, if the meds I am on are okay to crush, mix with water and shoot into FT. One did not know. The other thought one was okay, but another one he didn't. So, I did some searching.

ismp.org/recommendations/do-not-crush

ismp stands for Institute for Safe Medical Practice.

The one med I was told by a Pharmacist is not cool does not show on the list, so I figure is okay.

FYI

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  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    edited December 2019 #2
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    slow release meds maybe not?

    from a purely logical point of view it sounds like the feeding tube and esophagus all wind up at the same place. The caveat I see is that slow release meds, things in gel capsules, will be defeated by crushing and you would get too much medicine too fast. Even common asprin in tablet form takes about 15 minuetes to dissolve. That said it might not be a bad thing for some medicines as I have dissolved aspirin in water prior to ingesting for the sole purpose of accelerating it's effect. You might try smaller doses just to be safe and increase incrementally if all goes well.

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss Member Posts: 2,275 Member
    edited December 2019 #3
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    I Had Everything

    Going through my feeding tube back in 2013 and if I recall correctly most everything can be put through the tube except any med that is time release. I had small morphine pain pills I was taking one every 12 hours and they were time-release so when I could not swallow anymore I had to quit them because crushing them defeated the time-release concept. Not only that if I would have crushed them and put it in the tube I would have gotten hit with the full dose all at once, most likely not good. You also have to make sure not to try to put anything through that might clog the tube. Dissolve in warm water well. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if there is a liquid substitute for your med. Here is a link from "registered nurse.com" on crushing pills and tube feeding-good info and includes a video--Take care-God Bless

    https://www.registerednursern.com/crushing-medications-for-feeding-tube-and-oral-administration/

    And also a short video that explains it well and an easy way to remember which pills not to crush--

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kT30M7mKqEA

     

  • Logan51
    Logan51 Member Posts: 464 Member
    #4
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    wbcgaruss said:

    I Had Everything

    Going through my feeding tube back in 2013 and if I recall correctly most everything can be put through the tube except any med that is time release. I had small morphine pain pills I was taking one every 12 hours and they were time-release so when I could not swallow anymore I had to quit them because crushing them defeated the time-release concept. Not only that if I would have crushed them and put it in the tube I would have gotten hit with the full dose all at once, most likely not good. You also have to make sure not to try to put anything through that might clog the tube. Dissolve in warm water well. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if there is a liquid substitute for your med. Here is a link from "registered nurse.com" on crushing pills and tube feeding-good info and includes a video--Take care-God Bless

    https://www.registerednursern.com/crushing-medications-for-feeding-tube-and-oral-administration/

    And also a short video that explains it well and an easy way to remember which pills not to crush--

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kT30M7mKqEA

     

    Rat and Russ

    That is the point of the link I have in my post. No "gray" area as to if or if not= it lists every specific medicine that should not be crushed. I've talked to 2 Pharmacists, and neither were sure. One told me the Clonazepam shouldn't. Turns out it is okay. AND, I've now given the web site address to 3 Pharmacies, and all have been genuinely thankful.

    Check-out the site. You will be impressed. Recommend every FT Patient to do that.

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss Member Posts: 2,275 Member
    #5
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    Logan51 said:

    Rat and Russ

    That is the point of the link I have in my post. No "gray" area as to if or if not= it lists every specific medicine that should not be crushed. I've talked to 2 Pharmacists, and neither were sure. One told me the Clonazepam shouldn't. Turns out it is okay. AND, I've now given the web site address to 3 Pharmacies, and all have been genuinely thankful.

    Check-out the site. You will be impressed. Recommend every FT Patient to do that.

    OK Dave I Apologise

    I wasn't paying attention. That is quite a list-thanks so much-Take Care-God Bless

  • Logan51
    Logan51 Member Posts: 464 Member
    #6
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    No need to apologize, Russ

    Really is no need. I was amazed when I saw it, and the one Pharmacist who called it up on his computer was too. Even thought about taking mini-page copies of it to Dr.s office and asking him if he's sure the Clonazepam is okay to crush! And if he shows any hesitation/isn't sure/says no I'd take out the mini-pages and show him it's okay! Then I might ask him about another that isn't obvious due to time release or coating- just to see if he'd kick me out of his office for being more informed than him...

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