Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
5093508 tn?1390543931

CHEWING YOUR MEDICATIONS

I have heard that chewing or crushing your medications in your mouth, is less harsh on your stomach, as it has been mixed your saliva. I always read the labels and when they say 'Do not crush or chew these tablets' , I obey.as I worry about the health consequences. I am confused. Is it better to chew them anyway, so as not to be too harsh on the stomach lining? What are the dangers of sucking diazepam, for instance? With other pain meds, that are enteric coated, is it dangerous to bite these in half or even chew them before swallowing? There are many meds, so just wondering if it is dangerous to do this? I know some meds are to be taken sublingually, but wonder about the ones that say they must be swallowed, not chewed or crushed, as there's no explanation of why they must not taken this way. Does mixing them with saliva first lessen their effectiveness?
Best Answer
1700643 tn?1464846682
DO NOT EVER CRUSH,CHEW PILLS.Thats changing the form and it does NOT change how they affect ur stomach lining or minimize damage.
22 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
My doc just prescribed me ambiem and he told me to chew it up and swallow it with my norco pain meds and go to bed is that safe?
Helpful - 0
5093508 tn?1390543931
Maybe works a few minutes faster, but also wears off faster. No point. I'm off both valium & zopiclone. Stopped ct as I ran out of valium & refused to substitute zopiclone (ambien, I think, tho not sure now, after all). Sleep med anyway. Stopped it ct & threw the rest out. I'd had enough of prolonged wdl feelings. 6 sleepless nights & it was all over. So, had to stop both valium & zop ct. Best thing I ever did! Felt wonderful after that & have been great ever since. Tolerance develops also, with these drugs. Soon the valium just doesn't work, no matter if u chew or swallow them. Messes up your neurotransmitters & creates an imbalance of them all, esp GABA, which is the calming neurotransmitter. If you want to end up a nervous depressed wreck, just take valium. May be ok for some people, for various reasons such as chronic anxiety, but once tolerance soon develops, you'll need more & more of it & doctors are reluctant to prescribe more. Then you're stuck with a horrible addiction & hell.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Does chewing valium help it work faster or make it more effective?
Helpful - 0
5093508 tn?1390543931
I'm sorry I haven't replied sooner. I never saw your post till now.  I just read some of my posts & saw I typed 2 valium when I meant 3. (Wish it was 2). Thanks for telling me it's ok to just stop the zopiclone (or ambien. It has so many names. Mine is called Imovane), anyway, I tried not having any yesterday, but idk, by the afternoon, I was highly agitated with what I call 'fright' feelings in my tummy & heart, very shaky, nauseous & sweating hot, even tho it's winter here. I'd had only 2 valium  since morning, & was due for the 3rd, but didn't want to take it, so thought I'd have 1/2 dose of ambien instead.  Hmm! It worked, & I was hoping it wouldn't, so I could just stop wanting it, to calm me etc. I found I didn't need the 3rd valium. I don't know what I'm doing. I'm being silly, I know, & may end up being worse off if I don't take the valium as prescribed (which is actually 3 & a 1/2, but  try to have less. That's what I mean about I'm being silly). Haven't had any of those 2 meds yet. It's 11am. Feel crook with the flu, but not anxious. A little depressed, & this scares me, but also scared to take a valium, as that ALWAYS makes me depressed, when usually, I've been quite happy b4 taking it.. I'm NOT trying to be brave by not taking it, I'm actually scared, as it makes me more ill in every way. This is harder than I thought it'd be, weaning off these 2 meds. Maybe this is just a stage of the weaning off period, & it will pass. In any case, I refuse to take Olanzapine she prescribed. What a joke! I don't know why she prescribed it. Is it to help ease w/drwal symptoms from tapering off meds? I researched & could find nothing about that, just that it's for schizophrenia & bipolar, which I don't have either. (Don't think so, anyway, haha) I will pray on all this & believe I'll get strength to cope. Sorry for this long post. And thanks, marycarmel.
Helpful - 0
1855076 tn?1337115303
Ambien can certainly be habit forming but it's not dangerous to cold turkey off.  Insomnia would be the biggest issue.  I was on Ambien for 13 years.  They gave it to me when I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.  It definitely was helpful in the beginning but later I found I wasn't sleepingnwell while on it.  I take all-natural supplements and find it much more effective.
Helpful - 0
5093508 tn?1390543931
Thanks again! I'm down to 2 valium,(5mg tabs) daily. Psych prescribed another 1/2, but I won't take it. I wait as long as possible before having it & zopiclone. Within an hr of taking them, I feel so depressed, unmotivated & unwell. Know I mustn't stop ct, as I tried that. I will keep posting on how I'm going with the tapering. Do not need these meds, & certainly do not want them. Didn't have any till 2pm yesterday. Ruined the rest of my day after taking them. I wonder if I could just stop ct, as I'm on Gabapentin for phantom limb pain, so that's an anti-convulsion med, so that would stop me having convulsions, wouldn't it? I'm so tempted o do this, but scared too, so I will look into it before trying it. I'll be run out of these 2 meds before my next appt with the psych in 16 days anyway, so will have to stop regardless. Don't know what to do actually, about that. Will pray on it. It might be my chance to stop ct.
Helpful - 0
5093508 tn?1390543931
Thanks for your continued support & for being interested. I don't know if you remember, that when I was having terrible anxiety caused by Tramadol, I'd begun taking zopiclone (ambien?) during the day when I'd ran out of valium due to that mix-uo about 2 prescribing doctors.  I've told my psych & GP all this, showed psych print-outs showing how highly addictive this sleep med is. She then told me to taper which I'm doing, & taper valium which I'm doing.  Down to 1 zopiclone DAILY. I don't need it at night. I don't need it at all & certainly don't want it, but because of the danger of stopping ct, have to take it.(she told me to take 2 by the way). I am going to try not having any at all. I;m sick of it. I'm down to 3 valium, but prescribed 3 and a 1/2. I know I'm probably being silly, but I REFUSE to take these 2 meds in the morning. I feel so cheery, & know that once I take a valium, within an hr, I'm, very depressed, unmotivated & feel unwell. I've got the flu at the moment, feel ill enough without getting depressed too. I didn't have any of those 2 yesterday, till 2pm, as I'd been out to appt with colorectal surgeon re my prolapse. (Another long story). I felt fine cheerful, bit crook with aching all over, blocked nose etc, but happy in spite of pain. Started feeling slightly anxious & withdrawal feeling (I sure know the signs of that) so knew I must take those meds. Damn them! Went downhill after that. I didn't even feel like praying, but ended up listening to Joyce Meyer, & got some hope there, I  did pray for the rest of the day/night, just talking to God. I woke up an hr ago & feel very crook with this flu. Supposed to go out later, to family get together to celebrate hubby's B/day. I should not go, as my daughter just had a baby 2 days ago, & would hate to pass this cold & flu on to my newborn granddaughter.(or anyone else).She's absolutely perfect & so beautiful!!! I would love to talk to you about faith in God. I'm so glad you are a believer too. It's been an enormous help & comfort to me, having taken Jesus as my Savior again. Thanks heaps.
Christine
Helpful - 0
1700643 tn?1464846682
SO glad ur sticking around,posting.Please keep doing so give a little info about how much ur dropping,how often/how long ur taper is.Thats so helpful2others.
Helpful - 0
4810126 tn?1503942735
Oh S, So great to see you posting! (I always try to check around this time..) You've been doing so well. I've got to say (and I hope you're chuffed and not p'od by this: but you're sound so much more optimistic than when you first began to post!) I love to see your threads, my friend.

In terms of the Benzo (Ambien & Valium)  - I know you want to drop them (and I have every sympathy with you but in this case, slow and easy wins the race [particularly with the V.] You'll probably find the Ambien isn't really helping you to sleep. If you're taking it during the day, definitely a red flag and something to think about.

I was really interested in your answer to ariley above (who's a brilliant chick by the way.) If you ever want to talk a little more about the 'non-traditional' approach to faith that you seem to be talking about. I'd love to talk to you about it. It's really grounding and has kept me alive. (obviously not for all of us, but perhaps this is the way 'God' comes to us, eh?)

Anyway, Great to hear from you You've made so much progress and I'm proud of you. My heart & best wishes are always with you!

Helpful - 0
5093508 tn?1390543931
Thanks ariley13. Yeah, I DO have a strong faith & mostly positive attitude. Tho must admit there are moments, when It seems too hard! I still get anxiety hitting me out of the blue, that's when I feel weakened, but I'm learning to think 'Pray' instead of valium, first, & definitely find comfort & strength in prayer. The moment passes, I thank God I didn't give in & take a pill. My desire to get off this ed plus the sleep med, is stronger than my need to find relief by taking a pill (which doesn't work any more for me, anyhow, well maybe a little, but just not worth it). Sometimes it could be low blood-sugar, if I haven' eaten in awhile, so some protein, fruit, carbs usually makes me feel better too. I make sure to stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water, herb teas ec. Enough rest, sleep etc - All helps.  AND of course, this site is a wonderful support, to know I'm not alone. Thanks again, and best wishes.
Blessings.
Helpful - 0
5093508 tn?1390543931
Thanks! Yes, I'll be sticking around. I'm so grateful for all the support, advice & encouragement I've received from this site. I hope to be of help to others too.
I understand about how some people can't swallow he pills, but glad I can. I'm not looking for a 'hit', or whatever. I feel high enough naturally, through healthy food & most importantly, my new faith in God, & wouldn't trade that for the world. You may be right about my so-called friend, but that's her business, not mine. I'm doing great, in spit of arthritis pain, but will keep praying on that, for healing, or a least some relief. I'm proud of you too, for doing so well. I've never snorted anything other than nasal spray, haha, to clear my sinuses. Good on you for giving all that up!
Helpful - 0
4522800 tn?1470325834
Hi. Was wondering how you have been..Even if this was posted a few days ago I just wanted to add that a lot of the elderly have to have their pills cursed and given in a spoon full of Applesauce..Not because of the Stomach but because they can not swallow them..I snorted my pills because it got into the bloodstream faster so you would fill it sooner..Maybe that is why your friend is doing it that way..when it is broke down it is able to get to the bloodstream faster..It does not take as long to digest it..Ok Great Job you are doing..I am proud of you..You have stuck it out around here.
Bless
Helpful - 0
5347058 tn?1381188426
Hi! I am glad that you decided to try to taper off of your meds. The valium can cause serious problems if stopped abruptly. Just follow your drs advice and take it slow and steady. You will get there! Your faith and positive attitude will help tremendously. Take care and remember you are not alone in this.
Helpful - 0
5093508 tn?1390543931
By the way. That friend I mentioned, the one who said that chewing meds is easier on the stomach, has turned nasty on me (over money. Long story), so I didn't get the chance to tell her theory is wrong She told me she takes all her meds this way, and doesn't get tummy pains. We're no longer in contact. I just wish her the best regardless. She wasn't a true friend really I'm just sorry for her, & hope she doesn't suffer major health problems from chewing her meds. Got to go have the dreaded valium 5mg,& 12 7.5 zopiclone now. I don't want to, but know the consequences if I don't It's so unfair! There should be more health warnings about these addictive meds.
Helpful - 0
5093508 tn?1390543931
Oh yes! It IS tough! I want off valium & zopiclone (ambien) so badly, that I thought I'd just try to stop them ct. I went 26 hrs without any. I was a bit jittery, nervous tummy  the next morning, but refused to give in. By 3pm, I started shaking so violoently, began dry-retching, & was in a very bad way. I think the fact that I'm on Gabapentin for phantom limb pain due to amputation, was the only thing that stopped me from going into convulsions. I still did not want to give in & take the rotten meds, as I'd feel a failure somehow, but my daughter was here luckily, for a visit, heard me dry-retching in my bedroom, (I'd told her that morning I wasn't going to take those meds. She told me off & don't be silly etc, but I wanted to prove to myself & my hubby that I could do it. He'd told me the day before, that I'm a drug addict & don't really want to get off these meds. Well, that did it! Hence my determination to just stop taking them). She came in, took one look at me & yelled at me (in a nice way, haha) to take my bl***y meds. So, yah, I knew I had to, but I cried & cried for having to take them. I hate them with a vengeance & it's such a slow process weaning off them, but I'm doing it under my psych's supervision, who by the way, has gone & prescribed Olanzapine for me. Huh? What the....? I refuse to take it anyway. I researched it & wonder why on earth would she prescribe this, just cause I have a little anxiety now & then, as I'm weaning of those meds, nothing major & through my faith in God, I'm able get through those times. Anyway, haven't had any today yet. Dread the thought that I'll have to take them soon, or suffer badly. I hate them because within an hour, I feel depressed (not deeply, darkly, but down nevertheless), lose motivation & just feel generally unwell. I get over it, as I still push myself to do things, pray & cope ok with it all, reminding myself I'm a day closer to getting off these meds. I WILL NOT TAKE MORE DRUGS to supposedly help ease withdrawal symptoms. God is my answer to that. It's a great comfort to pray & believe I am being healed. Quite amazing really! 8 months ago, I wouldn't have said anything like that, as I blamed God for a lot of things, but finally renewed my faith a few months ago, and I'm just amazed, is all I can say.I feel happy, in spite of health issues, as already one health issue has been healed. I believe my other health probs are being healed too!
God Bless & give us all the strength we need to get through.
Helpful - 0
1700643 tn?1464846682
oh yeah meds will give u stomach problems big time.Proud of u for getting off the benzos.Thats tough.I know I did it myself.Glad u posted
Helpful - 0
5093508 tn?1390543931
Thanks marycarmel, for your input. I can't take ibuprofen or NSAIDS for that reason. I'll ask about the prilosec you mentioned, but I'll still keep weaning of the meds I'm on as I've turned to alternative healing & Chinese herbal medicine now, which has helped my tummy greatly. I can eat properly again, after 5 months of living on bone-marrow broth, pureed veggies, vit/min supps, bananas & protein powder mixed with water, herb teas and herbal remedies. Also had a bowel op 2 weeks ago and am greatly improved with minimal tummy pains now. Hope you're getting relief from pain or from what the reason is for you having to take ibuprofen and the other 2 you mentioned.
Helpful - 0
1855076 tn?1337115303
I just would add that a side effect of lots of medication, both prescription and OTC,  is stomach problems.  Ibuprofen and other NSAIDS can sometimes cause bleeding.  I had a lot of trouble with my stomach from different medications.  I take high doses of ibuprofen and my doctor had me take Prilosec, which actually protects your stomach.  
Helpful - 0
5093508 tn?1390543931
Thanks again, for clarifying that for me. I'm in the process of weaning off valium, so would not do anything to prolong the weaning, as I want off this horrible drug. I do not like it! I'd rather have my wits about me, thanks. My friend was only trying to help, as she knows I have tummy probs, so told me to try chewing my meds because the saliva breaks them down quicker so that the digestive system doesn't have to work as hard, therefore would be less harsh on my tummy. Once again, I will let her know that it's not a good idea at all, and could be dangerous, by the sound of it. I'm so glad I thought to post this question on this site, before trying what she said. It's saved me from making a terrible mistake!  I'm having enough trouble, withdrawing from meds as it is I don't need another problem added to it.
THANKS HEAPS!
Helpful - 0
5093508 tn?1390543931
Thanks for replying. I have never chewed or crushed my meds. I posted the question because I have tummy problems and a friend told me that chewing them first is easier on the stomach. Well, now I see that this would make no difference. I'll tell my friend she is wrong. Thanks for the prompt reply. I did think it strange she would say that, as it always warns on the leaflet that comes with the me, not to crush or chew. Naturally there's a reason for this.
Helpful - 0
1700643 tn?1464846682
as for benzos like u asked about some people will put a valium,xanax etc under there tough and basically let it dissolve.I was told a long time ago by a doctor thats ok to do but u should only do that if u need the medicine to kick in quickly like if u r having an anxiety attack.Otherwise just swallow it.As far as pain meds go the crushing,chewing,snorting is simply a way to get the pills to hit u quicker and99%of the time thats so they get high quicker.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Substance Abuse Community

Top Addiction Answerers
495284 tn?1333894042
City of Dominatrix, MN
Avatar universal
phoenix, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.