Oral Dosage Forms That Should Not Be Crushed or Chewed

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Oral Dosage Forms That Should Not Be Crushed or Chewed

This listing is included to alert the health care practioner about oral dosage forms that should not be crushed or chewed and to serve as an aid in consulting with patients. Refer to the end of the table for a complete explanation of references.

Drug Product Manufacturer Dosage Form Reason/Comments
Accutane Roche Capsule Mucous Membrane irritant
Actifed 12 Hour Warner Lambert Consumer Health Products Capsule Slow release1
Acutrim Novartis Consumer Health Tablet Slow release
Adalat Bayer Tablet Slow release
Aerolate SR, JR, III Fleming & Co. Capsule Slow release1,2
Afrinol Repetabs Schering-Plough Tablet Slow release
Allergra D Hoechst Marion Roussel Tablet Slow release
Allerest 12 Hour Novartis Consumer Health Caplet Slow release
Artane Sequels Lederle Capsule Slow release1,2
Arthritis Bayer TR Bayer Capsule Slow release
ASA Enseals Lilly Tablet Enteric-coated
Asbron G Inlay Sandoz Tablet Multiple compressed tablet 1
Atrohist Plus Adams Tablet Slow release
Atrohist Sprinkle Adams Capsule Slow release2
Azulfidine Entabs Pharmacia & Upjohn Tablet Enteric-coated
Baros Lafayette Tablet Effervescent tab3
Bayer Extra Strength Enteric 500 Sterling Health Tablet Slow release
Bayer Low Adult 81 mg Strength Sterling Health Tablet Enteric-coated
Bayer Regular Strength 325 mg Caplet Sterling Health Tablet Enteric-coated
Bayer Regular Strength EC Caplets Sterling Health Caplet Enteric-coated
Betachron E-R Inwood Capsule Slow release
Betapen-VK Bristol Tablet Taste4
Biohist-LA Wakefield Tablet Slow release5
Bisacodyl (Various Mfr.) Tablet Enteric-coated6
Bisco-Lax Raway Tablet Enteric-coated6
Bontril-SR Carnrick Capsule Slow release
Breonesin Sanofi Winthrop Capsule Liquid filled7
Brexin LA Savage Capsule Slow release1
Bromfed Muro Capsule Slow release1
Bromfed-PD Muro Capsule Slow release1
Calan SR Searle Tablet Slow release5
Cama Arthritis Pain Reliever Sandoz Consumer Tablet Multiple compressed tablet
Carbist-TR Nutripharm Tablet Slow release
Cardizem Hoechst Marion Roussel Tablet Slow release
Cardizem CD Hoechst Marion Roussel Capsule Slow release2
Cardizem SR Hoechst Marion Roussel Capsule Slow release2
Carter’s Little Pills Carter-Wallace Tablet Enteric-coated
Cefol Filmtab Abbott Tablet Enteric-coated
Ceftin GlaxoWellcome Tablet Taste4 Use suspension for children
Charcoal Plus Kramer Tablet Enteric-coated
Chloral Hydrate (Various Mfr.) Capsule Liquid in capsule1
Chlorpheniramine Maleate Time Release (Various Mfr.) Capsule Slow release
Chlor-Trimeton Repetab Schering-Plough Tablet Slow release1
Choledyl SA Parke-Davis Tablet Slow release1
Cipro Bayer Tablet Taste4
Claritin-D Schering-Plough Tablet Slow release
Codimal LA Schwarz Pharma Capsule Slow release
Codimal LA Half Schwarz Pharma Capsule Slow release
Colace Roberts Capsule Taste4
Comhist LA Roberts Capsule Slow release2
Compazine Spansule SmithKline Beecham Capsule Slow release1
Congress SR, JR Fleming & Co. Capsule Slow release
Constant T Novartis Tablet Slow release2
Contac SmithKlilne Beecham Capsule Slow release2
Cotazym-S Organon Capsule Enteric-coated2
Covera-HS Searle Tablet Slow release
Creon 10, 20 Solvay Capsule Enteric-coated2
Cystospaz-M PolyMedica Capsule Slow release
Cytoxan Bristol-Myers Tablet May be crushed but maker recommends injection
Dallergy Laser Capsule Slow release
Dallergy-D Laser Capsule Slow release
Dallergy-JR Laser Capsule Slow release
Deconamine SR Kenwood Capsule Slow release1
Deconsal II Adams Tablet Slow release
Deconsal Sprinkle Adams Capsule Slow release2
Defen-LA Horizon Tablet Slow release5
Demazin Repetabs Schering-Plough Tablet Slow release1
Depakene Abbott Capsule Slow release, mucous membrane irritant1
Depakote Abbott Capsule Enteric-coated
Desoxyn Gradumets Abbott Tablet Slow release
Desyrel Apothecon Tablet Taste4
Dexatrim, Max. Strength Thompson Medical Tablet Slow release
Dexedrine Spansule SmithKline Beecham Capsule Slow release
Diamox Sequels Lederle Capsule Slow release
Dilatrate SR Schwartz Pharma Capsule Slow release
Dimetane Extentab Robins Tablet Slow release1
Disobrom Geneva Pharm. Tablet Slow release
Disophrol Chronotab Schering-Plough Tablet Slow release
Dital UAD Capsule Slow release
Donnatal Extentab Robins Tablet Slow release1
Donnazyme Robins Tablet Enteric-coated
Drisdol Sanofi Winthrop Capsule Liquid filled7
Drixoral Schering-Plough Tablet Slow release1
Drixoral Plus Schering-Plough Tablet Slow release
Drixoral Sinus Schering-Plough Tablet Slow release
Dulcolax Boehringer Ingelheim Tablet Enteric-coated6
Dynabac Bock Pharmacal Tablet Enteric-coated
Easprin Parke-Davis Tablet Enteric-coated
Ecotrin SmithKline Beecham Tablet Enteric-coated
E.E.S 400 (Various Mfr.) Tablet Enteric-coated1
Efidac 24 Hogil Pharmaceutical Tablet Slow release
Elixophyllin SR Forest Capsule Slow release1,2
E-Mycin Knoll Pharm. Tablet Enteric-coated
Endafed UAD Capsule Slow release
Entex LA Dura Tablet Slow release1
Entozyme Robins Tablet Enteric-coated
Equanil Wyeth-Ayerst Tablet Taste4
Ergostat Parke-Davis Tablet Sublingual form8
Eryc Parke-Davis Capsule Enteric-coated2
Ery-Tab Abbott Tablet Enteric-coated
Erythrocrin Stearate Abbott Tablet Enteric-coated
ErythromycinBase (Various Mfr.) Tablet Enteric-coated
Eskalith CR SmithKline Beecham Tablet Slow release
Exgest LA Carnrick Tablet Slow release
Fedahist Timecaps Schwarz Pharma Capsule Slow release1
Feldene Pfizer Capsule Mucous membrane irritant
Feocyte Dunhall Tablet Slow release
Feosol SmithKline Beecham Tablet Enteric-coated1
Feosol Spansule SmithKline Beecham Capsule Slow release1,2
Feratab Upsher-Smith Tablet Enteric-coated1
Fergon Sanofi Winthrop Capsule Slow release2
Fero-Grad-500 Abbott Tablet Slow release
Fero-Gradumet Abbott Tablet Slow release
Ferralet SR Mission Tablet Slow release
Festal 11 Hoechst Marion Roussel Tablet Enteric-coated
Feverall Sprinkle Caps Ascent Pediatrics Capsule Taste2,9
Flomax Boehringer Ingelheim Capsule Slow release
Fumatinic Laser Capsule Slow release
Gastrocrom Medeva Capsule Dissolve in water10
Geocillin Roerig Tablet Taste
Glucotrol XL Pratt Tablet Slow release
Gris-PEG Allergan Tablet Crushing may precipitate11
Guiafed Muro Capsule Slow release
Guiafed-PD Muro Capsule Slow release
Guiafenex LA Ethex Tablet Slow release5
Guiafenex PSE 120 Ethex Tablet Slow release5
Guaimax-D Schwarz Pharma Tablet Slow release
Humibid DM Adams Tablet Slow release
Humibid DMSprinkle Adams Capsule Slow release2
Humibid LA Adams Tablet Slow release
Humibid Sprinkle Adams Capsule Slow release2
Hydergine LC Sandoz Capsule Liquid in capsule1
Hydergine Sublingual Sanoz Tablet Sublingual route1
Hytakerol Sanofi Winthrop Capsule Liquid filled1,7
Iberet Abbott Tablet Slow release1
Iberet 500 Abbott Tablet Slow release1
ICaps Plus LaHaye Labs Tablet Slow release
ICaps Time Release LaHaye Labs Tablet Slow release
Ilotycin Dista Tablet Enteric-coated
Imdur Key Tablet Slow release5
Inderal LA Wyeth-Ayerst Capsule Slow release
Inderide LA Wyeth-Ayerst Capsule Slow release
Indocin SR Merck Capsule Slow release1,2
Ionamin Medeva Capsule Slow release
Isoclor Timesule Medeva Capsule Slow release1
Isoptin SR Knoll Pharm. Tablet Slow release
Isordil Sublingual Wyeth-Ayerst Tablet Sublingual form8
Isordil Tembid Wyeth-Ayerst Tablet Slow release
Isosorbide Dinitrate SR (Various Mfr.) Tablet Slow release
Isosorbide Dinitrate Sublingual (Various Mfr.) Tablet Sublingual form8
Isuprel Glossets Sanofi Winthrop Tablet Sublingual form8
K + 8 Alra Tablet Slow release1
K + 10 Alra Tablet Slow release1
Kaon Cl 6.7 mEq Savage Tablet Slow release
Kaon Cl 8 mEq Savage Tablet Slow release1
Kaon Cl-10 Savage Tablet Slow release1
K + Care E+ Alra Tablet Effervescent tablet1,3
K-Lease Adria Capsule Slow release1,2
Klor-Con Upsher-Smith Tablet Slow release1
Klor-Con/EF Upsher-Smith Tablet Effervescent tablet1,3
Klorvess Sandoz Tablet Effervescent tablet1,3
Klotrix Mead Johnson Tablet Slow release1
K-Lyte Mead Johnson Tablet Effervescent tablet3
K-Lyte/Cl 50 Mead Johnson Tablet Effervescent tablet3
K-Lyte DS Mead Johnson Tablet Effervescent tablet3
K-Tab Abbott Tablet Slow release1
Levsinex Timecaps Schwarz Pharma Capsule Slow release
Lexxel Astra Merck Tablet Slow release
Lithobid Novartis Tablet Slow release1
Lodrane LD ECR Pharmaceutical Capsule Slow release2
Mag-Tab SR Niche Tablet Slow release
Meprospan Wallace Capsule Slow release2
Mestinon Timespan ICN Tablet Slow release1
Mi-Cebrin Dista Tablet Enteric-coated
Mi-Cebrin T Dista Tablet Enteric-coated
Micro K Robins Capsule Slow release1,2
Monafed Monarch Tablet Slow release
Monafed DM Monarch Tablet Slow release
Motrin Pharmacia & Upjohn Tablet Taste4
MS Contrin Purdue Frederick Tablet Slow release1
MSC Triaminic Sandoz Tablet Enteric-coated
Muco-Fen-LA Wakefield Tablet Slow release5
Naldecon Bristol Tablet Slow release1
Naprelan Wyeth-Ayerst Tablet Slow release
Nasatab LA ECR Pharmaceutical Tablet Slow release5
Niaspan KOS Tablet Slow release
Nico-400 Jones Medical Capsule Slow release
Nicobid Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Capsule Slow release
Nitro Bid Hoechst Marion Roussel Capsule Slow release2
Nitrocine Timecaps Schwarz Pharma Capsule Slow release
Nitroglyn Kenwood Capsule Slow release2
Nitrong Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Tablet Sublingual route8
Nitrostat Parke-Davis Tablet Sublingual route8
Nitro-Time Time-Cap Labs Capsule Slow release
Noctec Apothecon Capsule Liquid in capsule1
Nolamine Carnrick Tablet Slow release
Nolex LA Carnrick Tablet Slow release
Norflex 3M Pharmaceuticals Tablet Slow release
Norpace CR Searle Capsule Slow release
Novafed Hoechst Marion Roussel Capsule Slow release
Novafed A Hoechst Marion Roussel Capsule Slow release
Ondrox Unimed Tablet Slow release
Optilets-500 Filmtab Abbott Tablet Enteric-coated
Optilets-M-500 Filmtab Abbott Tablet Enteric-coated
Oragrafin Bracco DXS Capsule Liquid in capsule
Oramorph SR Roxane Tablet Slow release1
Ornade Spansule SmithKline Beecham Capsule Slow release
Oxycontin Purdue Pharma Tablet Slow release
Pabalate Robins Tablet Enteric-coated
Pabalate SF Robins Tablet Enteric-coated
Pancrease Ortho McNeil Capsule Enteric-coated2
Pancrease MT Ortho McNeil Capsule Enteric-coated2
Panmycin Pharmica-Upjohn Capsule Taste
Papaverine Sustained Action (Various Mfr.) Capsule Slow release
Pathilon Sequeles Lederle Capsule Slow release2
Pavabid Plateau Hoechst Marion Roussel Capsule Slow release2
PBZ-SR Novartis Pharm Tablet Slow release1
Pentasa Hoechst Marion Roussel Tablet Slow release
Perdiem Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Granules Wax coated
Peritrate SA Parke-Davis Tablet Slow release5
Permitil Chronotab Schering Tablet Slow release1
Phazyme Block Tablet Slow release
Phazyme 95 Block Tablet Slow release
Phenergan Wyeth-Ayerst Tablet Taste1,4
Phyllocontin Purdue Frederick Tablet Slow release
Plendil Astra Merck Tablet Slow release
Pneumomist ECR Pharmaceutical Tablet Slow release5
Polaramine Repetabs Schering-Plough Tablet Slow release1
Posicor Roche Tablet Mucous membrane irritant
Prelu-2 Boehringer Ingelheim Capsule Slow release
Prevacid TAP Pharmaceutical Capsule Slow release
Prilosec Astra Merck Capsule Slow release
Pro-Banthine Roberts Tablet Taste
Procainamide HCl SR (Various Mfr.) Tablet Slow release
Procanbid Parke-Davis Tablet Slow release
Procan SR Parke-Davis Tablet Slow release
Procardia Pfizer Capsule Delays absorption7,12
Procardia XL Pfizer Tablet Slow release, AUC is unaffected
Profen II Wakefield Tablet Slow release5
Profen-LA Wakefield Tablet Slow release5
Pronestyl SR Apothecon Tablet Slow release
Propecia Merck Tablet Pregnant women should exercise caution13
Proscar Merck Tablet Pregnant women should exercise caution
Proventil Repetabs Schering-Plough Tablet Slow release1
Prozac Dista Capsule Slow release2
Quadra Hist Schein Tablet Slow release
Quibron-T/SR Bristol-Myers Squibb Tablet Slow release1
Quinaglute Dura Tabs Berlex Tablet Slow release
Quinalan Lanatabs Lannett Tablet Slow release
Quinalan SR Lannett Tablet Slow release
Quinidex Extentabs Robins Tablet Slow release
Quin-Release Major Tablet Slow release
Respa-1st Respa Tablet Slow release5
Respa-DM Respa Tablet Slow release5
Respa-GF Respa Tablet Slow release5
Respahist Respa Capsule Slow release2
Respaire SR Laser Capsule Slow release
Respbid Boehringer Ingelheim Tablet Slow release
Ritalin-SR Novartis Capsule Slow release
Robimycin Robitab Robins Tablet Enteric-coated
Rondec TR Dura Tablet Slow release1
Roxanol SR Roxane Tablet Slow release1
Ru-Tuss DE Knoll Pharm. Tablet Slow release
Sinemet CR DuPont Pharm Tablet Slow release5
Singlet SmithKline Beecham Tablet Slow release
Slo-Bid Gyrocaps Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Capsule Slow release2
Slo-Niacin Upsher-Smith Tablet Slow release5
Slo-Phyllin GG Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Tablet Slow release1
Slo-Phyllin Gyrocaps Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Capsule Slow release1,2
Slow FE Novartis Consumer Health Tablet Slow release1
Slow FE with Folic Acid Novartis Consumer Health Tablet Slow release
Slow-K Summit Tablet Slow release1
Slow-Mag Searle Tablet Slow release
Sorbitrate SA Zeneca Tablet Slow release
Sorbitrate Sublingual Zeneca Tablet Sublingual route
Sparine Wyeth-Ayerst Tablet Taste4
S-P-T Fleming Capsule Liquid gelatin thyroid suspension
Sudafed 12 hour Warner Lambert Consumer Health Products Capsule Slow release1
Sudal 60/500 Atley Tablet Slow release
Sudal 120/600 Atley Tablet Slow release
Sudex Atley Tablet Slow release5
Sular Zeneca Tablet Slow release
Sustaire Pfizer Tablet Slow release1
Syn-RX Adams Lab Tablet Slow release
Syn-RX DM Adams Lab Tablet Slow release
Tavist-D Novartis Consumer Health Tablet Multiple compressed tablet
Teczam Hoechst Marion Roussel Tablet Slow release
Tedral SA Parke-Davis Tablet Slow release
Tegretol-XR Novartis Tablet Slow release
Teldrin SmithKline Beecham Capsule Slow release2
Tepanil Ten-Tab 3M Pharmaceuticals Tablet Slow release
Tessalon Perles Forest Capsule Slow release
Theo-24 UCB Pharma Tablet Slow release1
Theobid Duracaps UCB Pharma Capsule Slow release1,2
Theobid Jr. UCB Pharma Capsule Slow release1,2
Theochron Forest Tablet Slow release
Theoclear LA Schwarz Pharma Capsule Slow release1
Theo-Dur Key Tablet Slow release1
Theo-Dur Sprinkle Key Capsule Slow release1,2
Theolair SR 3M Pharmaceuticals Tablet Slow release1
Theo-Sav Savage Tablet Slow release5
Theo-Time SR Major Tablet Slow release
Theovent Schering-Plough Capsule Slow release1
Theo-X Carnrick Tablet Slow release
Therapy Bayer Glenbrook Caplet Enteric-coated
Thorazine Spansule SmithKline Beecham Capsule Slow release
Toprol XL Astra Tablet Slow release5
Touro A & H Dartmouth Capsule Slow release
Touro DM Dartmouth Tablet Slow release
Touro EX Dartmouth Tablet Slow release
Touro LA Dartmouth Tablet Slow release
T-Phyl Purdue Frederick Tablet Slow release
Trental Hoechst Marion Roussel Tablet Slow release
Triaminic Sandoz Tablet Enteric-coated1
Triaminic-12 Sandoz Tablet Slow release1
Triaminic TR Sandoz Tablet Multiple compressed tablet1
Trilafon Repetabs Schering-Plough Tablet Slow release1
Tri-Phen-Chlor Time Release Rugby Tablet Slow release
Tri-Phen-Mine SR Goldline Tablet Slow release
Triptone Caplets Del Pharm Tablet Slow release
Tuss-LA Hyrex Tablet Slow release
Tuss Ornade Spansule SmithKline Beecham Capsule Slow release
Tylenol Extended Relief McNeil Consumer Products Capsule Slow release
ULR-LA Geneva Pharmaceutical Tablet Slow release
Uni-Dur Key Tablet Slow release
Uniphyl Purdue Frederick Tablet Slow release
Valrelease Roche Capsule Slow release
Verelan Lederle Capsule Slow release2
Volmax Muro Tablet Slow release
Wellbutrin GlaxoWellcome Tablet Anesthetize mucous membrane
Wyamycin S Wyeth Ayerst Tablet Slow release
Wygesic Wyeth Ayerst Tablet Taste
ZORprin Knoll Pharm. Tablet Slow release
Zyban GlaxoWellcome Tablet Slow release
Zymase Organon Capsule Enteric-coated
1 Liquid dosage forms of the product are available; however, dose, frequency of administration, and manufacturers may differ from that of the solid dosage form.
2 Capsule may be opened and the contents taken without crushing or chewing; soft food such as applesauce or pudding may facilitate administration; contents may generally be administered via nasogastric tube using an appropriate fluid provided entire contents are washed down the tube.
3 Effervescent tablets must be dissolved in the amount of diluent recommended by the manufacturer.
4 The taste of this product in a liquid form would likely be unacceptable to the patient; administration via nasogastric tube should be acceptable.
5 Tablets are scored and may be broken in half without affecting release characteristics.
6 Antacids or milk can prematurely dissolve the coating of the tablet.
7 Capsule may be opened and the liquid contents removed for administration.
8 Tablets are made to disintegrate under the tongue.
9 Capsule contents intended to be placed in a teaspoonful of water or soft food.
10 Contents may be dissolved in water for administration.
11 Crushing may result in precipitation of larger particles.
12 If the liquid capsule is crushed or the contents expressed, the active ingredient will be, in part, absorbed sublingually.
13 Crushed or broken tablet should not be handled by women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant.

Revised by John F. Mitchell, PharmD, FASHP, from an article that orginally appeared in Hospital Pharmacy, 31;27–37, 1996.

Books@Ovid
Copyright © 2003 Facts and Comparisons
David S. Tatro
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