Is it ok to break open the capsules? Crush the tablets? Pierce the softgels?
As a general rule, breaking open a capsule or crushing a tablet does not cause any serious problems, though it’s not ideal. It usually means the active substances inside are released faster – increasing the risk of side effects – and that the body does not absorb the ingredients as efficiently.
In some cases, however, it is definitely not recommended:
- When the capsule is ‘gastro-resistant’. This kind of enteric coating protects the molecules in the capsule against stomach acids: breaking open the capsule will thus damage the molecules and significantly reduce the supplement’s efficacy.
- When the capsule or tablet is ‘prolonged release’. As these supplements have been designed to release their contents gradually, damaging the coating will result in the active substances being released at inadequate doses.
Capsules are normally composed of two shells, one inside the other. If you wish to open them to reduce the dose of the substances inside, it’s better to buy empty capsules, divide the contents of one capsule between two empty capsules and then carefully re-seal them.
If you want to break a tablet into smaller pieces because it’s difficult to swallow, it’s best to use a knife to cut it more precisely. You can also use a pestle and mortar to crush it and then sprinkle the powder onto food.
You can’t ‘open’ a softgel (a capsule with an oily solvent),as it is made from a single piece. You can, however, pierce it carefully, and empty the contents into a drink or onto food, though the resulting taste might not be very pleasant! There’s also a risk that the active principles will be much less well-absorbed.
In all these cases, the active substances will be exposed to more light, humidity and oxygen, which means they will oxidise and decompose more quickly.
This information applies only to dietary supplements: you should never break open medicine capsules without first consulting a doctor.
19 Days
Reliable delivery
Reliable delivery. Good product.
Viva
33 Days
Great service
Great service
cl
35 Days
Received product promptly and its early…
Received product promptly and its early days but seems to have improved my daughters alertness.
Anandi
45 Days
Amazing
Amazing, great product!
ALEX Sinclair
48 Days
Good products and Swift handling
Good products and Swift handling
Trusted
53 Days
I trust the company's product
I trust the company's products, the quality is trustworthy and the speed of delivery is also appreciated.
NAJIB Malaah
53 Days
Good job.
This company is serious when it comes to serving it's customers. They are fast to send out the orders. Their site is great and easy. Also, they treat their return customers with great deals and discounts. Keep up the good work.
ABDULQADER Jehad
55 Days
I know frech ( level 3 of 6) and can…
I know frech ( level 3 of 6) and can read your messages, but since order are official documents I'd like to have this in english. Merci Ursula Mathes
Ursula Mathes
58 Days
I worried the delivery.
Box was intact, content correct but delivery time was 12 days. I started to worry!
VIITANEN Esa
61 Days
Supply of Chondroitin 6-sulphate
The company has provided the required product efficiently with no complications.
OldBear
62 Days
Supersmart sell a lot of interesting…
Supersmart sell a lot of interesting stuff. More than jut the usual vitamins though they do all those as well. Ordering pretty straightforward - you may need to try a couple of times to get the offers to apply but they do work. I queried something and had a fairly quick sensible reply. Postage takes a couple if days but you do get good progress information. Very well packed. Bought from Supersmart a few times and will do so again.
AT Griffin
16 Days
Excellent
On m'a mis bien.
cliente
19 Days
qualité des produits et services
qualité des produits et services
denis riegel
20 Days
Nehme das Produkt noch zu kurz um eine…
Nehme das Produkt noch zu kurz um eine Bewertung abgeben zu können
Ermelinde
20 Days
Très satisfait
J'apprécie la facilité de navigation sur le site, le suivi des commandes, et bien sûr, la qualité des compléments alimentaires.
LE COUR SERGE