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.
1 Days
Orders come super fast
Orders come super fast, they have products that can’t be found anywhere else. They are essential for me. Thank you for existing
Ada
5 Days
I am ordering on a regular basis here…
I am ordering on a regular basis here since well over a decade and there was only once a glitch worth mentioning and as soon as customer service was contacted it was taken care of professionally and swiftly - so: zero complaints really.
C.S.
7 Days
Very reliable
Very reliable. Very good communication. Excellent documentation. Only negative is the website. It’s unnecessary complicated and confusing. Too much of trying to get the customer to buy additional products. Please simplify and make the ordering process easier and faster.
Joe O Leary
8 Days
Excellent products
Excellent products
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10 Days
Perfect
Fast delivery! Excellent products,
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84 Days
Reliable delivery
Reliable delivery. Good product.
Viva
98 Days
Great service
Great service
cl
99 Days
Received product promptly and its early…
Received product promptly and its early days but seems to have improved my daughters alertness.
Anandi
109 Days
Amazing
Amazing, great product!
ALEX Sinclair
113 Days
Good products and Swift handling
Good products and Swift handling
Trusted
118 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
17 Minutes
Bon produits
Bon produits. Livraison rapide.
Marc
2 Hours
livraison dans le temps prévu manque un…
livraison dans le temps prévu manque un produit que j'attends et qui arrivera vite si possible....
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Connaitre les produits et leur…
Connaitre les produits et leur efficacité, Service rapide
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6 Hours
produits toujours au Top
produits toujours au Top livraison rapide
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