How to Make a Liquid Suspension with Ground Pills

Last Updated: October 26, 2021

For those who can't swallow pills, some medications can be turned into a liquid suspension. This can make it much easier to swallow the medication and get the relief or treatment you need.

Steps

1
Check with your doctor or pharmacist. Not all medications will work if they're crushed or put in a suspension; checking whether this approach is effective for the specific pill you're taking is essential.
2
Find a nice small cup, such as a teacup or a tumbler. If you use a teacup, use a tough Chinese style. Otherwise use a plastic tumbler.

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3
Have a very good pill crusher at hand. Any pill crusher will work and you can ask your pharmacist: they sell pill crushers, sometimes even at the grocery store.
4
Buy a safe sweetener like Equal or Sweet-N-Low. Sugar is not recommended. Secondly, it is important to also use a liquid sweetener such as blue agave syrup or monk-fruit liquid sweetener. They are easy to get at the grocery store.
5
Get a tiny whisk or spoon, as well as a chopstick, for stirring. Some people use a battery-powered latte mixer but they are too violent and messy.
6
Once you have your cup with water, add some sweetener to it. Crush your pills thoroughly and add the crushed medication.
7
Stir this well. Don't worry about residue because many medications are not water soluble, which means they won't dissolve in the water. This is why you need to crush the medication thoroughly.
8
Add the liquid sweetener. This gives a better taste but it is more important as a "binder" or what the pharmacists call "the vehicle". It helps bind the crushed medication in the same way medical syrup works. All you need to do now is stir thoroughly and then take your medicine.

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Community Q&A

Question

Can you use capsules the same way?

Eric Huishen Hernandez

Community Answer

Yes, unless they are time-release. In that case, ask your pharmacist or your doctor.
Question

Can I use regular syrup?

Eric Huishen Hernandez

Community Answer

Yes, just be very sparing with it. You won't need more than a few drops.
Question

How can a liquid suspension be made from sugar?

Community Answer

Sugar can be dissolved in water. It will dissolve easier if the water is heated. The more sugar added, the more “syrupy” it will be. Care should be used for diabetics and probably not used at all. If you don’t like agave sweetener, then there is light Kari syrup. Make sure to let it cool completely before using.

Warnings

Every time you discuss medications be certain to tell the other party that you crush your medications and take them in an oral suspension. If you have to go to the hospital, they will not know this and may try to give you a whole pill to swallow. If you make sure everyone knows, they will grind your medications for you so you will not be in danger of choking.

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Be sure your pill crusher is washed regularly. You don't have to ash it every day, but it is good to have two crushers so you can have one while the other is drying: wash about once a month.

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Don't try to use too much liquid. That will make it a lot harder to take all your meds because you'll have too much liquid and you may not be able to drink all of it.

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