Mic-key problems......

jschut, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2003

Prevacid does come in powder form.

Thanks for all the tips and hints! Don't know what I'd do if it wasn't for you guys! :)

Repat · Jun 2, 2003

I've heard about the meat tenderizer - we use warm cranberry juice. Works a treat!

Audreyfay · Jun 2, 2003

I always thought that when it was in "beads," that it was a time-released medication and should not be crushed or broken? I bet it comes in a liquid/power, or its equivalent does?

Agnus · Jun 3, 2003

Originally posted by Flynurse
If I am recalling correctly, Prevacid comes in powder form. Don't quote me on that, but if I were you I would look into it.

I have used applesauce with "beady" medications. It works wonderfully!

It does come in powder. BUT it has been my experience that there are always a few beads in the powder. Just a few in just about every packet I've found and it is just enough to clog the tube.

If you mix Prevacid with Bicarb it softens the beads and does not clog the tube. The bicarb works like a charm.

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Feb 24, 2008

Old thread, I know, but ongoing problem, obviously. I just did a search to find this, b/c I am dealing with this EVERY WEEK with my students in clinicals, and it is extremely frustrating to be 'on stage' as I am trying to unclog in front a large group of students. I enjoyed hearing the tips (the only one I hadn't heard of was the meat tenderizer... now where would I get that? Dietary? Or do I bring in my own :bugeyes: ). Unfortunately I need to be very careful what I do as an instructor, as all eyes are on me, and some students have trouble understanding that this is not something you should do as a general rule, rather, only during desperate measures.

I always thought that when it was in "beads," that it was a time-released medication and should not be crushed or broken?

You are absolutely right, and I keep trying to explain this to my students, and that even though the staff on our unit does it, that doesn't mean it is right. many of them are time-release, and therefore you are basically giving them a bolus (well, a more rapid acting dose) by opening up that capsule. And they wonder why the Dilantin levels are all screwed up, or BPs are all over the place :icon_roll

I bet it comes in a liquid/power, or its equivalent does?

My understanding is that it comes down to $. Many of them are made in a liquid equivalent, but cost a lot more money. I work in peds on the side, and have seen almost every med in a liquid form. The one we used for GERD was prevacid in a liquid form. Even Zantac is available (thats what all the pediatricians rush to put the "gerd" babies on). The hosp I teach clinicals in is a very cheap institution, but has a lot of tube fed patients. Even if Nexium is better, is it really as effective when half the beads are left in the syringe or getting clogged up in the tube? I'm thinking no :nono:

Last week, we were told by a staff member that the Nexium needs to sit in warm/hot water for 30 minutes to dissolve before you put it in. So there I am policing everyones "science projects' in between meds. The beads did not dissolve, but they did go in easier (or we were just lucky that day:lol2:). One of my students put it in very hot water, and the beads just clumped together!!

withasmilelpn · Feb 24, 2008

I had a peds patient we used mylanta to mix it with (with a doctor's order of course!) Worked great.