Is it okay to take the medicine out of the capsule shell?

Question

I have CAPSULE pills for my medication and they are too BIG for me to take. I heard some people say its ok but will the medicine still work without the CAPSULE SHELL?

Answer 1

The capsule shell is there to make taking the medicine easier - this is the selling point of the capsules - some meds should never touch your mouth (for example...my best friend had a little girl that the doctor gave an iron supplement to....didn't know it wasn't supposed to touch her teeth - but it did and it turned her teeth dark gray - like a rotten color - this is an extreme example but just so you know how important it could be I thought you should know) Some times they are in the capsule because of the strong taste or odor (fyi) and sometimes just because the manufacturer didn't want to put it in tablet form because of the extra additives or for the ease of digestability (tablets don't always dissolve in time to work properly.)

Just simply call either your local pharmacy or your doctors office and tell them what the problem is and they should be able to help you.

NOW - if it says that you can open the capsule then you should grab the top of the capsule with your first finger and thumb and grab the bottom of the capsules with your other first finger and thumb and grip firmly, but don't try to squish it (for lack of a better word) the capsules get brittle and you will have little sharp pieces of gelatin everwhere. Get a good grip and then pull and twist back and forth at the same time (you will want to do this over applesauce or what ever you are going to mix it with to be able to take it) once you get it apart then throw the capsule away.

Hope this helps!

PS - very rarely are capsules used for time-released meds because of how quickly they dissolve - but there are a few that are a tablet inside of a capsule or a capsule inside of a capsule.

Answer 2

Cough syrup is not good for you and the active ingredients DXM and codeine may not help with coughs much anyway. Also, many capsules are made of gelatin. It varies by brand. Check the ingredients. I'm guessing you are not supposed to have alcohol or gelatin for Ramadan. Normally I would say don't sacrifice your health for religion by not taking medicine if you need it but in this case cough syrup has such debatable effectiveness anyway why sacrifice your values for it. However if you are really set on taking cough syrup, there are some available without alcohol or gelatin. Medicines that do not contain animal ingredients or alcohol: All Triaminic Brand cough syrups and all Soft Chew Tablets Pedia Sure Brand Cough & Cold Cold & Allergy Infant Decongestion Drops Infant Decongestion Plus Cough Infant Long Acting Cough Infant Long Acting Cough & Cold Night Rest Vicks Brand Children NY Quil Tylenol Brand Simply Cough Adult Medicines that do not contain Animal Ingredients or Alcohol: Vicks Brand Cough Drops Vaporize Cream Halls Brand Cough Drops Tropical Flavor only

Answer 3

usally u shouldnt there in capsule form ALSO so the digest away in the area of the problem, faster into the bloodstream, some are also time realese thus the pill being two seprate chambers, one thicker than the other to relase one in 10 mins and another in 2 hours persay

Answer 4

Some medications are time released if they are in a capsule.
Be sure to check before doing that. Be very careful, there are so many things with medications that can be dangerous.====

Answer 5

u Need to ask you pharmacist or physician because some pills can cause burning of your mucous membraines in your mouth. plus some like erythromyacin taste so horrible that you would probly wanna shave your tongue just to escape the aftertaste. in vitamins some never dissolve so sometimes chewables are best . and many nursing facitities mash meds up in applesauce.

Answer 6

it depends on the medication, you should call the pharmacist you got the medication from to ask if you can safely open the capsule.