Which type of oral medication tablet is typically safe to crush?

Scored tablets are designed with a line down the middle, allowing them to be easily split into smaller doses. This feature means they can be safely crushed or divided to adjust the dosage as necessary, making them suitable for patients who may have difficulty swallowing whole tablets. Crushing a scored tablet does not alter its intended rate of release or effectiveness, which is crucial in pharmacotherapy.

In contrast, coated tablets and enteric-coated tablets may have protective layers that are specifically intended to prevent the tablet from dissolving in the stomach, which can alter how the medication is absorbed. Additionally, extended-release tablets are formulated to gradually release their active ingredients over time, and crushing them can lead to an unintended rapid release, increasing the risk of side effects or toxicity. Therefore, when dealing with oral medications, it's important to recognize that only scored tablets are generally safe to crush.