Question:
Anyone have suggestions on a better way to get my antidepressant down?

I can't take it whole and have tried dissolving it, mashing it and putting it in food or liquid, several different ways. It is so bitter that I gag everytime.    — Lynn R. (posted on March 22, 2002)

March 22, 2002
Have you tried a pill splitter? First, consult with the prescribing physician, as some anti-depressants are time-release and splitting them is not recommended. I still use my splitter and will be 2 years post-op next month.
   — [Deactivated Member]

March 22, 2002
Lynn, you don't say how far out you are. I am 6 weeks out and was doing like you, gagging down my crushed pill put into yogurt or applesauce. When my doc prescribed an antibiotic the other day I crushed it and put it in peanut butter as the doc suggested-well, it was so bitter I gagged and threw it all up. I knew something had to be done, so I used the pill splitter and cut it into 1/4s and swallowed it. I'm so relieved to put the crushing behind me!
   — Cindy R.

March 22, 2002
HI, Be sure to be careful with this one. I spoke to my doc the other day about this and becasue my meds. are time released disolving them or splitting them could cause seziures. We haven't figured out yet what we will do right after surery, ( April 29) but I thought the warning I recived was worthy of mention. I will add more later when I find out the solution. Good luck! Tracey
   — Tracey L.

March 22, 2002
Prozac comes in tablets as well as pills, for much more $. But insurance WILL pay for it given a medical necessity letter from your doc. Lots of other meds are the same.... Call your doc, alternatives are out there...
   — bob-haller

March 22, 2002
I have never been able to swallow pills with water, the normal way. I have always chewed a bite of food, pause, insert pill, swallow. It works EVERY time because my throat only thinks food is comgin and doesn't mess with me. I can do maybe 1-2 pills with qliuid, but as soon as my throat catches on, NO WAY. I hate it! But there it is. Pills dissolve in the pouch, so unless the stoma is compromised in some way, they will begin to melt before they even try to leave. Once you get a clear image that the pill IS going out thru your stoma, then the issue is just getting it IN to your pouch, right? I've been doing the pills-with-food routine for, um, since I was about 4 and works every time.
   — vitalady

March 22, 2002
I am pre-op, but have a lot of issues with swallowing pills. If a pill is too large for me (which most are), I take a sharp knife and cut it up into pieces that are small enough to swallow. It takes longer, and sometimes I end up with 8 small pieces, but it works for me.
   — Jennifer Y.