Ashwin Lewis
Sleeping pills are medications that help treat insomnia and other sleep problems. They are central nervous system (CNS) depressants that slow down the nervous system, helping you fall asleep faster and sleep throughout the night. While some sleeping pills are available over the counter, others require a doctor's prescription. Sleeping pills should be taken exactly as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. It is important to check the medicine box and ask your pharmacist if you can chew the sleeping pill, as some medications should not be crushed or chewed due to the risk of adverse side effects and reduced effectiveness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chewing sleeping pills | Not recommended for some sleeping pills, such as Zopiclone and Zolpidem |
| Reasons for not chewing | May cause the medicine to not work properly, can increase the risk of unwanted side effects, can make the medicine less effective, can result in dose dumping (when the body quickly absorbs a large amount of a drug), can cause irritation |
| Alternatives | Liquid, injection, suppository, chewable or dissolvable tablets, gelcap formulation |
| Precautions | Check the medicine box for warnings, ask your pharmacist for advice, read the medication guide and follow the instructions carefully |
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What You'll Learn
- Sleeping pills should be swallowed whole, not chewed
- Some pills have a protective coating to prevent mouth or throat irritation
- Chewing pills can cause an overdose, which may be fatal
- Some pills are designed to be chewed, like chewable aspirin
- Always check the medicine box and ask a pharmacist if unsure
Sleeping pills should be swallowed whole, not chewed
Sleeping pills are designed to be swallowed whole, and chewing them is not recommended. This is because sleeping pills are formulated to release specific amounts of the drug at particular points in time. Chewing the pills can disrupt this process and lead to unintended consequences.
Firstly, chewing sleeping pills can result in dose dumping, where a large amount of the drug is rapidly absorbed by the body. This can lead to an overdose, which can be life-threatening. Secondly, many sleeping pills have an enteric coating, which is designed to protect the pill from breaking apart in the stomach, ensuring it reaches the small intestine for better absorption. Chewing these pills can disrupt the coating, leading to reduced effectiveness of the medication.
Additionally, some sleeping pills contain hazardous ingredients that can be harmful if crushed or chewed. The act of chewing can also cause irritation to the mouth, throat, or stomach, as it may expose these areas to the full concentration of the drug. Furthermore, chewing sleeping pills can increase the risk of unwanted side effects and reduce the overall effectiveness of the medication.
It is important to always read the instructions on the medication packaging and follow the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. If you have difficulty swallowing pills, alternative formulations, such as liquids, injections, or suppositories, may be available. These alternatives can provide the same therapeutic benefits without the need for chewing or crushing the medication.
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Some pills have a protective coating to prevent mouth or throat irritation
It is generally not recommended to chew sleeping pills. Sleeping pills such as Zopiclone and Zolpidem are central nervous system (CNS) depressants that slow down the nervous system and help you get to sleep faster. These medications should be taken exactly as prescribed by a doctor and are usually taken for a short period of 1-2 weeks. Sleeping pills should not be taken for longer than prescribed as the body can become dependent on them.
Some sleeping pills are available in the form of extended-release tablets, which should not be crushed or chewed. These tablets are designed to release the drug slowly over an extended period. Crushing or chewing these tablets would alter the way the drug is released and could lead to an overdose.
Additionally, some pills have a protective coating that prevents their dissolution or disintegration in the stomach. This coating is known as an enteric coating, which is a polymer barrier that helps protect the drug from the acidic environment of the stomach. The coating ensures that the drug is released in the small intestine, where the environment is less acidic and more favourable for drug absorption. This type of coating is particularly important for drugs that are unstable at the pH of gastric acid and need to be protected from degradation.
The protective coating on pills also serves another important purpose: preventing mouth or throat irritation. Some medications contain active ingredients that can be irritating or harmful if they come into direct contact with the mouth or throat. By encapsulating the drug within a protective coating, this potential irritation can be avoided. This is especially relevant for drugs that need to be released in the intestine rather than the stomach, as the coating ensures that the drug passes through the stomach safely without causing any unwanted effects on the upper GI tract.
Furthermore, coatings can also mask the unpleasant taste of certain drugs, improving patient compliance. This is achieved by using polymers that can control the release of the drug, allowing it to pass through the mouth without dissolving and releasing its flavour. This is particularly useful for drugs that need to be taken regularly, as it improves patient adherence to the medication regimen.
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Chewing pills can cause an overdose, which may be fatal
Chewing sleeping pills can be dangerous and may lead to fatal consequences. While some medications are designed to be chewed, crushed, or split, others should never be altered from their original form. Sleeping pills such as Zopiclone and Zolpidem, for instance, should be swallowed whole and must not be crushed or chewed.
Some medications have a special protective layer called an enteric coating, which is designed to stop the pill from breaking apart in the stomach. The coating ensures that the tablet disintegrates in the small intestine, where it can be better absorbed by the body. If you chew an enterically coated tablet, the drug will not be absorbed properly, and the medicine may be ineffective. In some cases, ingesting a crushed tablet can even result in death.
Chewing pills can also lead to dose dumping, where a large amount of the drug is quickly absorbed by the body. This can cause an overdose, which may be fatal. Additionally, crushing or chewing pills can make it difficult to measure the correct dosage, increasing the risk of taking too much medication.
If you have difficulty swallowing pills, it is important to check the medicine box and ask your pharmacist if it is safe to chew or crush the medication. There may be alternative formulations available, such as liquids, injections, or suppositories, that can be safely administered in a different form. It is always best to follow the instructions provided with your medication to ensure safe and effective use.
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Some pills are designed to be chewed, like chewable aspirin
Some pills are designed to be chewed, and there are several chewable sleeping pills on the market. For example, MidNite Sleep Aid for occasional sleeplessness comes in 30-tablet packs of chewable cherry-flavoured tablets. These tablets contain melatonin and herbs and can shorten periods of wakefulness during the night and sometimes make their occurrence less frequent. They are also said not to cause grogginess.
Zarbee's Children's Sleep Melatonin Chewable Tablets are another option. These are grape-flavoured and are designed for children aged three and above. They contain 1mg of melatonin, which is a hormone that the brain naturally produces to help regulate sleep and wake cycles.
Chewable pills are not always suitable for sleeping disorders, however. For example, zolpidem, a medicine used to treat insomnia, comes in an oromucosal or sublingual form, but it is not clear whether this can be chewed. Zopiclone, another medicine for treating insomnia, should not be crushed or chewed.
Chewable pills are also available for other conditions. For example, Transzone Oral is a drug that comes in chewable form and is used to help regulate daily cycles, hormone production and sleep patterns.
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Always check the medicine box and ask a pharmacist if unsure
Sleeping pills are serious medications that should be taken only as directed by your doctor. If you are having trouble swallowing tablets, always check the medicine box and ask a pharmacist if it would be alright to chew or crush your medicine.
The inability to swallow medications may be related to age or certain medical conditions, while others may have psychological reasons. If you are among those who have trouble swallowing pills, there are alternative dosage forms available, such as liquids, injections, or suppositories. Chewable or dissolvable tablets may also be acceptable alternatives.
It is important to note that not all medications can be crushed or chewed. Crushing, splitting, or chewing certain medications can increase the risk of unwanted side effects and may also make some medications less effective. Some medications that should be left intact include those with modified-release dosage forms or special coatings. Hazardous medications, such as those used to treat cancer, and medications that may cause harm to an unborn baby, should also not be altered.
If you are unsure whether your medication can be chewed or crushed, always ask your pharmacist for guidance. They are knowledgeable about the properties of different medications and can advise you on the safest way to take your medication. Additionally, they may be able to provide alternative formulations that are easier for you to take.
Remember, sleeping pills should always be taken as directed by your doctor and only for the prescribed duration. It is important to follow the instructions on the medicine box or those provided by your pharmacist to ensure safe and effective use.
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Frequently asked questions
It is not advisable to chew sleeping pills. Sleeping pills are designed to be swallowed whole. Crushing or chewing sleeping pills can cause an overdose by inducing "dose dumping", where a large amount of the drug is quickly absorbed by the body. Chewing pills with an enteric coating can also irritate the mouth, throat, or stomach.
There are several alternatives to sleeping pills, including lifestyle changes such as taking a warm bath before bed and avoiding naps during the day. Herbal supplements and other over-the-counter medications can also be used to aid sleep, but it is important to check with a pharmacist or doctor before taking any new medication.
Sleeping pills can cause dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and low blood pressure. They may also cause allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, which can be life-threatening. In rare cases, sleeping pills may cause people to do things while asleep that they do not remember, such as driving, sleepwalking, or eating.
If you miss a dose of your sleeping pill, you should skip that dose and take your next dose at the usual time the next night. It is important to never take two doses at the same time or take an extra dose to make up for a missed one, as this can be dangerous.
