I have a question about pills, I know everyone says to crush them. I take metformin and you can't crush them and lipitor also. The Metformen isn't so big but the lipitor is. I was just band on nov. 12th so I havent had no fills or anything. I'm so scared to try to take them because I don't want them to get stuck. If anyone can help that would be great thanks.

This is a question you really should ask your surgeon. You may need to call your doctor who prescribed the Lipitor and see if there is another medication you can switch to that is smaller or can be broken or crushed.

There are two forms of metformin. I have the kind you can crush. Actually I cut it into four pieces then swallow each once separately. The other which is the extended release (must be the one you have) which you can't use.

I'd recommend talking to the doctor that prescribed them and see if they can switch you to a "crushable" one. Or possibly another med that is small or in a capsule or gel form (for both those meds).

My LAP-BAND® clinic said any "tablet" style pill the size of a regular aspirin should go down with out a problem as will any gel or capsule pill of any size.

The good news is if you get down to your healthy weight, there is a good change you might not need the Type II diabetes meds or the cholesterol meds.

But as always, talk to your docs first.

I agree you need to talk with the doctor however one thing that helped me was to take some sips of very warm tea or water and then take the tablet with more warm water/tea. Hope it helps

M

i use a Magic Bullet blender to crush my meds. i take metformin also. hope this helps.

I am being put on metformin er 500mg and was wondering how big the pill actually is, say compared to a tylenol extra strenght? Thanks guys!

ToriBug....the best and most reliable information -- and quicker to get than waiting for a phone call from your doctor -- is to go see your pharmacist. The pharmacist can tell you quickly what meds cannot be cut into pieces with a pill cutter or crushed, AND can tell you what meds are available in liquid form or in smaller pills that can be taken at one time to equal the correct dose. For instance, if you can't swallow a 500 mg metformin tablet, you may be able to take 2 or 3 of smaller dose by taking them one at a time.

Mellliecat, Metformin 500 mg is bigger than a Tylenol as I remember ... what a joy to forget! My band has enabled me to get off ALL my medications.

Delacruz, talk to your doc or pharmacist. Some medications, if crushed or even cut into pieces, lose their effectiveness or, worse, absorb all at once instead of extended release.

You can ask your doctor for Riomet. It is metformin in liquid form.