Can you crush potassium pills?

I need to take potassium, but I swear they are bigger than my Al's (pouch) opening.  Help?

Noooooooo...do NOT crush potassium!  I'm an RN and have seen many of those things, and I know they are huge.  Crushing them releases the potassium too quickly, however.  What we did when patients had difficulty swallowing the whole pill was to put the pill in a medicine cup with just enough warm water in the cup to cover the pill.  Swirl it around a little and it will dissolve, but the little bead pieces stay intact ... that's what you need.  There is also a potassium powder that you may talk to your doctor about prescribing and most patients I have given that to requested it mixed in grape juice -- not sure if it was just a taste thing or what.  Good luck to you!  Those are horse pills, for sure!  Dena

Thanks so much, I had no idea. 

You can't crush them. You can however dissole them in a small amount of water (1-2 tbsp). It takes a while for it to break up so be sure and allow enough time. Hope that helps.

I'm sure you could crush them but if you have a pill splitter. I would split it in half and put it in some applesauce. When I take my meds thats what I do. Good luck. HUGS

I'm 5 days out, still on liquids.  Maybe later that will work.  Thanks for the idea.  Linda

When I was in the hospital (had my lap-rny) they brought me these little teeny-tiny beads (looked like they had opened a capsule and brought me the innards) and told me to mix them with my Jello.  That didn't work well and most of the beads wound up between my teeth so I could crunch on them and enjoy them for a long time .    I decided to mix them with the sugar free whipped topping that was on the Jello the next time and it worked like a dream.  Slid right down.  You might try sugar free Cool Whip.

I work in Pharmacy and that is a big NO-NO for the potassium.  If I remember correctly from my surgery I think it was taken, then I ate my hot broth.  It will help it move down and dissolve a little faster.  Best of  luck.

Thanks so much for the information.  Best wishes, Linda

my potassium pills are capsules and I was given a definite NO to opening them and mixing in food.  I had to swallow them. (I am currently off potassium because my BP is dropping with my weight - and my potassium deficiency was caused by my BP medicine.  Its just a 'test phase' however - if my BP goes back up, or my potassium blood work comes back bad - its back on those gaggy pills)