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Has anyone had a medical provider/pharmacist tell them it is okay to crush up the huge Paxlovid pills to put in apple sauce or a yogurt-like dairy product, for dementia patients who can’t swallow pills? These are huge pills-there is no way our loved one could swallow them if they ever needed Paxlovid (Covid treatment medication-there aren’t any alternatives we'd use instead & it's a lifesaving medication for high risk seniors)-I just found out the medication directions (from manufacturers Pfizer of possibly FDA-can’t recall where I saw it online) says you shouldn’t crush it-but as this is a potentially lifesaving medication for high risk seniors & there aren’t any alternative medications, I'm assuming providers have advised that it's okay to crush them so seniors can take the medication by spoon? I saw some PDF flyer online from a Canadian based group saying it's okay to crush them-wondering if anyone in the US has gone through this with their loved one (yes they are multiply vaccinated/boosted & we'd still want to give them Paxlovid if they tested positive for Covid)-thanks.

The manufacturer says that they cannot be crushed and does not give a reason, so the answer is no. And if indeed this senior cannot safely take this medication, then they cannot safely take it. There is no substitute that I know of. They are vaccinated and hopefully that will make this a light case. Current cases are typically much less lethal than was the case before herd immunity. Good luck.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Ask the pharmacist. Also know that most medications are inconceivably bitter and no food is going to mask that awful taste.
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Reply to Geaton777
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There are other medications that can be taken.
I will say that the Paxlovid has a horrendous taste I can't imagine crushing it that would make it all the worse.
I read that Paxlovid should not be crushed
Lageviro is a capsule but I read that it can not be crushed or opened.
This is something that you should talk to the doctor about.
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Reply to Grandma1954
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This is something to discuss with your doctor and pharmacist, if the medication can't be taken any other way they may feel reduced efficacy is better than nothing.
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Reply to cwillie
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Tbh seems like a question you should ask your LO doctor.
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Reply to Fatherdrama94
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