A pharmacist has warned people often make a major mistake when taking medication that can pose “dangerous” risks. People in Ireland have been issued some crucial health advice
Katie-Ann Gupwell Acting Content Editor
14:19, 19 Feb 2026
Medication users have been urged to avoid the error (stock image)(Image: Kseniya Ovchinnikova via Getty Images)
Millions of people regularly take medication, but a recent warning has been issued to those who use common tablets. A pharmacist has highlighted a significant error that many people make when taking tablets, which could pose “dangerous” risks.
Pharmacist Anum, as she’s known online, is renowned for sharing useful health advice, and her latest expert guidance could greatly benefit many people, potentially changing the way they take medicine forever. She outlined a major mistake many people make when taking tablets, which could be causing more harm than they realise, so it’s important to pay attention.
This isn’t the first time she’s shared crucial information. Just weeks ago, she issued another health alert about the use of statins.
In a recent video, she explained: “Did you know that crushing your tablets, or opening capsules and just taking the powder, can be dangerous? Yes, you heard that correctly. Not all tablets are suitable to be crushed, and not all capsules are suitable to be opened.
“Some are modified release so, if you are crushing these tablets, or opening the capsules, you could impact the release profile of the medication, meaning that it might not last as long, and you can increase the risk of side effects.
“Some have an enteric coating. What this means is that it can help to protect your stomach from the medication, and also it can protect the medication from the acid in your stomach.
“You do not want to be tampering with this coating. More concerningly, some tablets and capsules can be irritating and harmful to you if touched once they’ve been crushed.
“So, before taking matters into your own hands, if you’re struggling to swallow your medication, please speak with your pharmacist or GP, so they can discuss your options. It could be liquids, it could be smaller tablets, but have that discussion first.”
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Whilst crushing, cutting or opening capsules might appear to be a “simple fix”, she cautioned people against doing it. In essence, it can lead to some serious problems and can even reduce medication’s effectiveness.
What you need to know
You may not realise, but you should never crush your medication before taking it without first consulting a pharmacist or doctor. This is because doing so can destroy the medication’s effectiveness, trigger dangerous overdoses or even cause harmful side effects.
Whilst some tablets can be crushed, extended-release, enteric-coated or specialised medications should never be altered in any way. When you crush extended-release (e.g. XL, XR, CR) or enteric-coated medications, it can result in the entire dose being released at once, which can lead to toxicity.
If you have difficulty taking medication, you should always consult your GP to see if there’s a better alternative available to you. However, there are occasions when they may advise you it’s safe to crush medication.
In such cases, always utilise a specific tablet crusher or pill splitter. Avoid using kitchen utensils, as it’s crucial to administer the full dose.
If you have any worries about your medication or overall health, reach out to your GP for additional advice. Guidance can also be found at your local pharmacist.