How to safely use tablets and capsules for medical conditions?

From the Guidelines

To safely use tablets and capsules for medical conditions, always follow your healthcare provider's instructions and the medication label precisely, especially for medications like acetaminophen, where the FDA recommends limiting daily intake to a maximum of 4 g to prevent severe liver injury 1. When taking tablets and capsules, consider the following key points:

• Take medications at the prescribed times, with or without food as directed, and complete the full course even if you feel better.
• Never adjust dosages without medical guidance, as this can lead to adverse events such as liver injury from acetaminophen overdosing 1.
• Store medications in their original containers at appropriate temperatures, away from moisture and direct sunlight.
• Keep track of potential side effects and report concerning symptoms to your doctor immediately.
• Be aware of possible drug interactions by informing your healthcare provider about all medications you're taking, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements. For specific medications like pain relievers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen), adherence to exact dosing schedules is crucial for effectiveness, and limiting chronic administration of acetaminophen to 3 g or less per day is recommended due to concerns of hepatic toxicity 1. Never share prescription medications with others, even if they have similar symptoms. If you have difficulty swallowing tablets or capsules, ask your pharmacist about alternative formulations rather than crushing or opening them yourself, as this can alter how the medication works in your body. Proper medication use ensures optimal therapeutic benefits while minimizing potential risks, and following the FDA's guidelines and your healthcare provider's instructions is essential for safe use of tablets and capsules 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

DIRECTIONS For Arthritis Pain Label • do not take more than directed (see overdose warning) adults • take 2 caplets every 8 hours with water • swallow whole; do not crush, chew, split or dissolve WARNINGS Liver warning: This product contains acetaminophen. Severe Liver damage may occur if you take • more than 6 caplets in 24 hours, which is the maximum daily amount

To safely use tablets and capsules for medical conditions, follow the directions:

• Take the recommended dose: 2 caplets every 8 hours with water for adults
• Do not exceed the maximum daily amount of 6 caplets in 24 hours
• Swallow whole: do not crush, chew, split, or dissolve the caplets
• Monitor for side effects: severe liver damage, skin reactions, and seek medical help if they occur 2 2

From the Research

Safe Use of Tablets and Capsules

To safely use tablets and capsules for medical conditions, it is essential to consider the following factors:

• The consequences of crushing tablets or opening capsules can be serious, including alteration of the drug's absorption, overdose, or underdosing 3
• Some drugs should never be crushed or opened, and it is better to consider and research the impact it will have on the drug's effects before doing so 3
• Using a different dosage form or a different active ingredient may be preferable in some cases 3

Patient Preferences and Ease of Use

Patient preferences regarding the shape and size of medical tablets and capsules can influence their compliance:

• Patients prefer model formulations with an I3 value below 22 mm and a thickness of 2-6 mm 4
• Larger model formulations show less picking difficulty but greater swallowing difficulty 4
• Model formulations 2 mm thick or less are harder to pick up, whereas those 6 mm thick or more are harder to swallow 4

Interactions with Dietary Supplements and Herbal Products

Healthcare professionals should be aware of potential interactions between drugs and dietary supplements or herbal products:

• Healthcare professionals have sufficient knowledge about most major drug-dietary supplement and drug-herbal product interactions, but insufficient knowledge about most moderate interactions 5
• Only 28% of respondents reported that they often or always ask patients on drug therapy about the use of dietary supplements or herbal products 5
• Continuing education and training are needed to improve healthcare professionals' knowledge and behavior regarding these interactions 5

Medical Conditions and Tablet/Capsule Use

For specific medical conditions, such as postpartum hypertension in preeclampsia with severe features:

• The first-line use of ibuprofen rather than acetaminophen for postpartum pain did not lengthen the duration of severe-range hypertension in women with preeclampsia with severe features 6
• Ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be used as alternatives for pain management, but their use should be carefully considered and monitored 6