I found this post today -- maybe it will help someone else?

TAKING PILLS

You may have to crush or break up some of your medications. But you can not do this with all kinds of pills. So go down your list of pills with your physician to make sure that it is OK. Large pills can get stuck in your stoma, and you may throw them back up.

Remember to take your pills on an empty stomach and follow them with food. This will help push the pill through the band and avoid an irritated pouch. If you do it the opposite way, food in your pouch will not allow the pill through until it dissolves. The risk or irritation increases in these cases.

Never take medications directly before lying down at night. This does not allow enough time for the pill to pass through the stoma and empty into the larger stomach

Amen on this advice!! I have to take a ton of medication. You can also ask your phamacist if the pill comes in a smaller size. Plus My experince I have to wait a while before eatting something, otherwise it is very uncomfortable. I have learned now, when I know the pills have passed when I am able to eat. If I try to eat something right after taking my meds I am surely to get sick. Through time you learn what you can eat and what you can't. Plus you get a routine going

thanks, good info

IMHO the Pharmacist is your best bet to find out if your medication is crushable. If your med has ER on the end of the name, it cannot be crushed because it is an "extended release" which means it is not meant to be dissolved immediately. Some medications are designed to not absorb in your stomach. You can cause great damage to yourself by crushing an extended release medication. There are "compounding pharmacies" out there who will crush your medication and put it in liquid form. Some medications come in liquid form. The Pharmacist can guide you. Having said that my first call this morning is to my pharmacist. Had another rough night post pill taking.

IMHO the Pharmacist is your best bet to find out if your medication is crushable. If your med has ER on the end of the name, it cannot be crushed because it is an "extended release" which means it is not meant to be dissolved immediately. Some medications are designed to not absorb in your stomach. You can cause great damage to yourself by crushing an extended release medication. There are "compounding pharmacies" out there who will crush your medication and put it in liquid form. Some medications come in liquid form. The Pharmacist can guide you. Having said that my first call this morning is to my pharmacist. Had another rough night post pill taking.

oh wow see if they come in capsule or small

Yes I asked the dr when they prescribe the meds what will work with band.