AboutMary E Scott, RPh, CGP Expertise I am a certified geriatric pharmacist with over 23 years experience as a long-term care consultant to nursing homes. I also do community-based consulting on an individual basis. My facility-based monthly newsletter on pharmacy topics is read by nurses in over 200 long-term care facilities in 5 states.
Experience I received a BS in Pharmacy in 1980 with post-graduate work in public health. I have had a Consultant Pharmacist license since 1984.
Organizations American Society of Consultant Pharmacists .I received certification in geriatric pharmacy in 1998.
Question I see the recommendation not to crush the tablet form, but I cannot find out why. I understand why you wouldn't want to crush a time-release tablet, but are colestid tablets time-release? I have a lot of trouble swallowing pills, and want to verify that crushing this one truly is a bad practice.
Answer Hi,Fred!
The manufacturer recommends not crushing the tablet form because it could cause esophageal irritation or blockage when you swallow it. Colestipol is also available in granule form which can be dissolved in water or other fluids such as juice,milk, or soup and swallowed.
If you have trouble swallowing the tablets, it would be best to use the granules. Hope this helps, Mary
