Taking the wrong medicine may be life-threatening? Effervescent tablets, capsules... How should different types of medicine be taken?

With the rapid development of material conditions and the development of productivity, drugs have also developed a variety of dosage forms. In our daily life, common dosage forms include ordinary tablets, effervescent tablets, buccal tablets, capsules, syrups and ordinary tablets, etc. How should different dosage forms be taken correctly? This article will popularize the correct way to take several common types of drugs for readers.

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Why do drugs need to be made into so many different dosage forms?

The dosage form of a drug refers to the molding method used in the production process of the drug. According to different classification methods, there are more than 40 commonly used dosage forms, and there are also many classification methods.

The reason why drugs are made into so many different dosage forms is not only to make the dosage more accurate and convenient for patients to use. It can also increase the stability of the drug, reduce toxic side effects in some cases, and facilitate the storage, transportation and carrying of the drug. [1] Different dosage forms have different effects on the way the drug is absorbed in the body. In order to achieve the best therapeutic effect, the same drug can be processed into different dosage forms for clinical use.

Different types of drugs have different ways of taking them. The correct way of taking them can maximize the efficacy of the drug and reduce side effects. However, the wrong way of taking them may greatly reduce the efficacy of the drug or even put your life in danger!

The correct way to take several common types of medicines

Effervescent tablets:

There was a CCTV documentary "Witness" in the "Drug Case Tracking" program that broadcast a case about a baby who took effervescent tablets by mistake and eventually died. It was a pity. The reason was that the child's parents would take effervescent tablets orally, so he also let himself: a child who was only 18 months old directly took an effervescent tablet orally because his parents took the effervescent tablet by mistake. This behavior directly caused the child to suffocate, and because the brain was deprived of oxygen for too long, he eventually died after one day of rescue.

Why is this happening and what is going on?

It turns out that when effervescent tablets dissolve, they release a lot of carbon dioxide. That's why if you pay attention, you will find that when we put effervescent tablets in water, we can see that the water will keep surging and throbbing. This is because effervescent tablets release a lot of carbon dioxide in water. If you take effervescent tablets directly, a lot of carbon dioxide gas will quickly fill the airway or digestive tract, which naturally causes the risk of suffocation.

You see, taking medicine, which seems like a trivial matter, can be very dangerous if you don't pay attention to the method. So how do you take effervescent tablets correctly?

The correct way to take an effervescent tablet is to put the tablet in a cup, add an appropriate amount of warm water, and drink it after the tablet is completely dissolved and the bubbles disappear. [2]

Syrup:

Syrup sounds sweet and delicious, but the taste is always different from what we imagine. It feels very "choking" when we drink it. We usually drink some oral liquids for cough and phlegm, sore throat, etc., which have this feeling. Why is it made like this?

This is because syrup is easy to swallow and thick, which helps the drug form a protective film at the inflammation site, blocking irritation and relieving cough. Therefore, when taking syrup, do not dilute it with water to improve the taste, or wash it down with a lot of water after taking it.

The correct way to take the syrup is to shake it well, measure the exact dose with a measuring cup or spoon, and take it directly orally. After taking it, you can rinse your mouth with a small amount of water.

Capsules

The correct way to take the capsules is with warm water.

The main purpose of making drugs into capsules is to protect the drugs in the capsule shell and ensure that they reach the stomach and intestines. When taking the capsule, it is important to be careful not to remove the capsule shell, especially for enteric-coated capsules and sustained-release capsules. The function of the capsule shell is to protect the drugs, allowing them to reach the intestines and then be released, reducing stomach irritation. It can also mask the bad smell of the drugs, slow down the release of the drugs in the body, and delay the release, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of the drugs in the body to make sustained-release and controlled-release capsules, thereby prolonging the duration of drug action. [3] If the capsule shell is removed, these functions will be lost.

Therefore, the correct way to take capsules is to take them with warm water. When taking capsules, you need to be careful not to remove the capsule shell, especially for enteric-coated capsules and sustained-release capsules.

Buccal tablets

There are two correct ways to take lozenges. One is to hold the tablet anywhere on the tongue, and the other is to hold the tablet under the tongue. When your mouth is dry, you can moisten it with a little warm water before holding the tablet, but never take it with water.

Even though they are all held in the mouth, the effects will be different depending on the position of the mouth.

Ordinary lozenges are designed to be taken slowly, usually on the tongue, to allow the drug to take effect slowly. The tablets are dissolved by saliva, slowly soothing the mouth and throat, and can produce lasting effects on the mouth and throat, exerting anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

Sublingual administration is different, as it aims to be “faster”. For example, nitroglycerin tablets can work most quickly when taken sublingually to relieve angina. There is a rich capillary network under the tongue, and sublingual administration allows the drug to be directly absorbed into the body’s blood circulation through the capillaries to exert its therapeutic effect. At the same time, it allows the drug to be quickly and completely absorbed directly through the blood vessel wall, thus avoiding the loss of the drug by liver metabolism. [4]

Chewable tablets

You must be familiar with chewable tablets. Commonly used chewable tablets include calcium tablets, vitamins, stomachic and digestive tablets, etc. The correct way to take them is to chew them thoroughly in your mouth and then swallow them. It is best not to swallow them directly.

Moreover, most chewable tablets are added with flavor enhancers and made into various colors and shapes. They taste better and can be taken without water, which is very convenient. For children, the elderly and patients with swallowing difficulties, ordinary tablets are often difficult to take, but chewable tablets can make up for this deficiency. After the drug is chewed, the surface area increases, which is conducive to its dissolution and absorption in the body, accelerates its disintegration, and improves its efficacy. [3]

After reading today's article, I believe you have understood how important the way of taking medicine is. In short, you must distinguish the dosage form before taking the medicine and read the instructions carefully. Master the correct way of taking medicine, and I wish you will be cured and recover your health!

References:

[1] Liu Yuzhen. Analysis on the importance and rational use of drug dosage forms[J]. Electronic Journal of Clinical Medical Literature, 2019, 6(07): 188. DOI: 10.16281/j.cnki.jocml.2019.07.164.

[2] Lu Zhuolin. How much do you know about the correct use of drug dosage forms? [J]. Kaijuanyi-Seeking Medical Advice, 2019(09):14.

[3] Lu Jizong. Different drug dosage forms have different uses (Part 1) [J]. Cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment knowledge (popular science version), 2017(11):48-52.

[4] Sun Qinglian. Various drug dosage forms[J]. Food and Health, 2012(08):42-43.

The article is produced by Science Popularization China-Starry Sky Project (Creation and Cultivation). Please indicate the source when reprinting.

Author: Hu Chunjie, popular science creator

Reviewed by: Liu Lihua, Chief Physician, Department of Pharmacy, Changsha Third Hospital