Question about chewables

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This might be a stupid question, but I am a relatively new nurse and I figured I might as well ask! Is there any harm in swallowing chewables? Ex: I gave a Tums to a pt who just swallowed it. I realize it's more readily available when it's chewed, but other than that, for pills like this, is there any harm? Thinking about chewable vitamins, probiotics, asa, etc. (And I am not talking about things like dissolvable zofran.)

I know this is a random question and I will ask my unit's pharmacist next time I see them, but wanted to ask here too! Thanks!

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

I wouldn't think so...except I know if *I* were to swallow a Tums it would hurt going down. Some people seem to have super gullets, though. But they will dissolve once they hit that HCl in the stomach.

Oh, and of course if it was a med meant specifically for the mouth, e.g. antifungal troches or mouthwashes, or Magic Mouthwash for the pain relief of mouth sores...then it wouldn't have the intended effect.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to pt medications

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I wouldn't think so...except I know if *I* were to swallow a Tums it would hurt going down. Some people seem to have super gullets, though. But they will dissolve once they hit that HCl in the stomach.

Oh, and of course if it was a med meant specifically for the mouth, e.g. antifungal troches or mouthwashes, or Magic Mouthwash for the pain relief of mouth sores...then it wouldn't have the intended effect.

True. I should have added the same caveat. I don't mean mouth intended items (we use those some and you definitely need to suck the troche, or swish the nystatin).

And YES!! I'm constantly amazed at how many pills people can swallow at once!!

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

Well medications designed to be chewed will have greater bioavailability when given that way . As a caveat though if your medication pass pass is being observed by a pharmacist, JACHO or in the case of nursing homes a state surveyor you must instruct the patient to chew it when you give it. Once it's in the patient's mouth it's up to the patient.

Hppy

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