For patients who have a difficult time swallowing capsules, taking certain medications can be exceptionally challenging-- especially if the pill cannot be chewed, opened, or split. This problem is particularly prevalent with extended-release capsules. As the name suggests, extended-release drugs release medicine into the bloodstream gradually. Crushing extended-release pills into food can cause the medication to be released into the body too quickly, which can produce serious side effects. Fortunately, the Food and Drug Administration recognizes this issue and has taken steps to find other dosing methods when a problem arises.
One of the medications recently approved for alternative administration is Amrix (cyclobenzaprine), a muscle relaxant prescribed along with rest and physical therapy to relieve the pain and muscle spasms that accompany certain musculoskeletal conditions.
Those who cannot swallow an Amrix pill capsule can now open it, sprinkle it on a tablespoon of applesauce, and take it that way, so long as they swallow the mixture immediately without chewing. Patients should then rinse their mouth to ensure they’ve swallowed all of the medication. This Amrix dosage administration procedure is only recommended for use with applesauce as the viability of other food products has not been studied or tested.
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| Amrix can now me taken with applesauce.Source: nj.gov |
The use and administration of Amrix come with some conditions. First, it is only for short-term use and should be prescribed for no more than three weeks. Also, if the individual is taking MAO inhibitors or has hyperthyroidism, arrhythmia, a heart blockage, or congestive heart failure, Amrix cannot be prescribed. There are other factors that must also be considered before prescribing, and side effects are possible.
Keep in mind that not all medications have been cleared for procedures such as crushing pills into food, and doing so with unapproved medications can have life-threatening consequences. If you have difficulties swallowing capsules, pills, or tablets, let your healthcare provider know so they can find and prescribe an acceptable means of administration. As with all prescription drugs, discuss the risks and benefits of Amrix with your doctor before using this medication.
