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- Jul 15, 2011
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Due to the size of the Pentasa tablets, I end up gagging on them, even when I take them one at a time. Is there an alternative I can ask my Dr for when I see him next week?
Alternative to Pentasa?
- Thread starter old_motters
- Start date
Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:
I see you are in the UK, therefore I'm guessing you have the flat, bluey grey powdery tablets? I can't swallow them either, so I hold em in my mouth with water until they break apart into tiny pieces (you can also drop them into a glass of water, but Ifind the little bits stick to the bottom of the glass and are hard to get out!)
Failing that, you can get it in powder form designed for kids 
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2011
- Messages
- 34
The problem with breaking the tablet is that it specifically says not to otherwise it doesn't reach the targetted area. I didn't know there was a powder, I think I'll see if I can go over to that.
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2011
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Hi!
I also take Pentasa 4g per day.
Are your tablets 500mg each? I was on those, but then changed to 1gram tablets, which I believe are a new dose, as many chemists didn't have them and my local one ordered them in for me.
I had real problems with the flat round 500mg pills, but the 1gram ones, even though they are bigger, are much easier to swallow with a swig of water as they are oval shaped.
Also, it is OK to break the tablets as long as they are not crushed. They are easily broken down in water and, as long as the actual granules are not broken they will work fine. My friend is a pharmacist and she confirmed that this is OK. The packet actually states that you can break them but not crush them. You will have to get your GP to specify the dose of tablet on your prescription, as the pharmacist has to dispense what is stated exactly on it and cannot substitute an equivalent one.
If you have no luck with the 1gram tablets, or if they don't fit with your dosage, try asking for the granule sachets.
Good luck.
I also take Pentasa 4g per day.
Are your tablets 500mg each? I was on those, but then changed to 1gram tablets, which I believe are a new dose, as many chemists didn't have them and my local one ordered them in for me.
I had real problems with the flat round 500mg pills, but the 1gram ones, even though they are bigger, are much easier to swallow with a swig of water as they are oval shaped.
Also, it is OK to break the tablets as long as they are not crushed. They are easily broken down in water and, as long as the actual granules are not broken they will work fine. My friend is a pharmacist and she confirmed that this is OK. The packet actually states that you can break them but not crush them. You will have to get your GP to specify the dose of tablet on your prescription, as the pharmacist has to dispense what is stated exactly on it and cannot substitute an equivalent one.
If you have no luck with the 1gram tablets, or if they don't fit with your dosage, try asking for the granule sachets.
Good luck.
