Extended (sustained)-release medications should never be crushed. Crushing them can interfere with their release mechanism and cause administration of a large dose all at once. Delayed (enteric-coated) medications should not be crushed. These drugs are coated with materials that are designed to protect the drug from stomach acids or to prevent the drug from irritation your stomach. Crushing them can alter this mechanism. Never crush or snort narcotics, such as oxycontin, codeine, or vicodin.

Most common prefixes or suffixes for sustained-release, controlled-release, or controlled-delivery products include: 12-hour, 24-hour, CC, CD, CR, ER, LA, Retard, SA, Slo-, SR, XL, XR, or XT. Prefixes for enteric-coated tablets include EN- and EC-.

Oral solutions may be commercially available so that you can drink your medications. If unavailable, consult your doctors or pharmacists whether a liquid formulation can be prepared. [4] X Research source In some cases, an injectable formulation of the medication may be possible. Consult your doctors or pharmacists. [5] X Research source

Purchasing a pill crusher may be the easiest way for this task. A plastic Ziploc/sandwich bag along with a small hammer or a heavy cup. Make sure the plastic bag is dry and clean before use. A small bowl or cup along with a sturdy spoon. A mortar and a pestle.

Pound the pill once with a hammer or a heavy cup. Shake the bag around. Make sure that larger parts of your pill can be crushed evenly. Pound the pill again. Use less force this time. You may need to repeat this several times, before the pill is completely crushed.

Pound the pill once with a spoon or a pestle, using great force. Make sure that the pill doesn’t jump out of the container. Scrape down the medication that may be stuck on the side. Pound or grind the pill again. Use less force this time. You may need to repeat this several times, before the pill is completely crushed.

Food: Applesauce, pudding, peanut butter, etc. Drinks: milk, chocolate milk, fruit juice, etc.

If you mix powder from one pill (one dose) with an entire container of applesauce, finish eating that entire container of applesauce. If you crush two pills (two doses, one for the morning and the other for the evening) with one container of applesauce, eat half the container in the morning and finish the rest in the evening.