Can You Crush Tylenol?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not Tylenol products can be crushed.
I have trouble swallowing and need to take Tylenol. I am wondering if you can crush it?
May 06, 2021- Most Tylenol tablets and caplets that are immediate-release can be crushed, but extended-release products like Tylenol Arthritis and Tylenol 8-Hour should not be crushed because it releases the full dose at once instead of over time. You should never crush gel caps, capsules, or coated tablets as they may not break down properly or could irritate your throat. If you have trouble swallowing pills, liquid Tylenol or chewable tablets are better alternatives than crushing pills.
Yes, there are many formulations of Tylenol (acetaminophen) that can be crushed, which is commonly needed for those who have trouble swallowing or use a feeding tube. It is important to note that there are some exceptions to this and not all Tylenol products can be crushed.
Tylenol products that should not be crushed include:
- Tylenol Arthritis
- Tylenol Gelcaps
- Tylenol Coated Tablets
- Tylenol 8-Hr
As a general rule of thumb, if the Tylenol product is 'immediate-release' (not 'extended-release') and is in a caplet or tablet form, it can be crushed. If you have questions about any specific product, be sure to ask your pharmacist (or us of course).
Exceptions
So, why can't extended-release Tylenol products (such as Tylenol Arthritis, or Tylenol 8-Hour) be crushed?
Tylenol Arthritis, for example, contains 650 mg of acetaminophen that is slowly released over an 8-hour time period. Crushing this medication results in the complete dose being released at once, ruining the extended-release properties of the drug. This will shorten its duration of action and possibly increase the risk of side effects, like nausea.
As mentioned above, in general, only Tylenol products that are in tablet or caplet form (and aren't extended-release) should be crushed. You should not crush other dosage forms, like gel caps, capsules, or liquid gels. These formulations are not intended to be destroyed and you will likely lose some of the drug product (as in liquid gels) or risk ingesting shards of the dosage form (e.g. from a broken capsule).
As an additional note, we also have a Tylenol product called 'TYLENOL® Extra Strength Coated Tablets' listed above as a product that should not be crushed. Even though these are not extended-release, they should not be crushed either. The coating on the tablet allows it to be swallowed more easily and crushing them won't result in a fine powder. The crushed-up coating will likely be irritating if swallowed.
Alternatives To Crushing
An alternative for those with trouble swallowing pills is to use liquid forms of Tylenol. Although they may be marketed for children, adults can certainly take liquid forms as they will have the same analgesic effect of solid dosage forms.
Tylenol also comes in a chewable tablet form, which is a much more palatable way to use crushed Tylenol if you are administering by mouth. In fact, taking chew tabs by mouth is generally recommended over using crushed Tylenol pills as crushed pills will have a bitter taste and chalky texture.
Final Words
Thanks again for contacting us! If you have any more questions about what drugs can, or cannot be crushed, please reach out!
References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Immediate-release
- A medication that dissolves and begins working quickly after you take it.
- Extended-release
- A medication designed to release its active ingredient slowly over a longer period of time.
- Dosage form
- The physical shape and type a medication comes in, such as a tablet, capsule, or liquid.
- Acetaminophen
- A pain reliever and fever reducer commonly known by the brand name Tylenol.
- Duration of action
- The length of time a medication continues to work in your body.
- Analgesic
- A medication that relieves pain.
- Feeding tube
- A thin tube placed through the nose or mouth into the stomach to deliver nutrition or medications to patients who cannot swallow.
- Caplet
- An oblong, capsule-shaped tablet that is meant to be swallowed whole.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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