capsules - can you open them and just tip out the powder inside ?

[sparkle1977]

I have just been prescribed capsules to take by my Doctor this morning for a chest infection.

I have so far managed to take the first one but they make me gag and heave.

I was wondering if I could break open the capsules and just take the contents ? Or is there some reason why you must take the whole thing ?? I am guessing that there must be some reason :-(

The capsules are designed to get the medicine inside past the initial stomach lining, so it doesnt get eaten away by your stomach acid before it enters your bloodstream. The capsule dissolves after this.

But if you are having trouble, you could try asking a pharmacist if there is an alternative. Chest infections are usually treated with penicillin - you can get this in a liquid suspension for children, so there might be other preparations for adults? Liquid suspension usually expensive so might not prescribe that for an adult - but possibly something else would be possible.

If not, try taking them with food rather than water. Chew a biggish lump of something stodgy, like a sandwich, hide the tablet inside the lump of food and swallow. That's what I usually have to do.

My DH takes all forms of tablet with a chunk of bread/fruit/whatevers available, he's never managed with just water.

Second the liquid idea though. I used to work for a GP and have known them prescribe liquid for adults if theres a genuine problem. Ask them.

I will try taking them with food rather than water and see if that helps.

I did ask the GP if there were any other alternatives as I find capsules difficult but he said there were no alternatives....grrrr.....probably a money thing..

I have had antibiotics like this before. I had a reaction to the capsule, Im allergic to a couple of odd things so I just emptied the capsules and took the powder. The problem cleared up and I had no lasting issues. It never occurred to me I might be doing it wrong, I just did what I could to avoid the reaction.