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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sarah T. on March 13, 2005, at 1:22:57
Have any of you ever had the feeling that your medication might not be dissolving properly, and that if it had better solubility, maybe it would work better? On more than several occasions, I've the unpleasant experience (sorry about this, it's kind of graphic and disgusting) of seeing some medicines in the toilet bowl, if you know what I mean. In other words, after I swallowed them, they never dissolved, but just passed through, whole, even though I drank a full glass of water with the drug. Another possible problem with solubility occurred a few years ago, when I tried Adderall. When I took one 10 mg tablet of Adderall, it seemed to work better than two 5 mg tablets of Adderall. In fact, the two 5mg tablets seemed to have no effect at all. This makes no sense. First, I looked them up and found that both the five and ten mg tablets were made of the exact same ingredients at that time (I don't know whether that is still the case; it's possible that the filler ingredients might have changed in the past few years). Secondly, I would think that the two 5 mg tablets would have better solubility than one 10 mg tablet because of the increased surface area of the two fives. Has anyone here had a similar experience? I thought I remembered reading somewhere that the salts that comprise Adderall have rather poor solubility, but that still doesn't explain why the two 5's had no effect on me at all, and the one 10 mg tablet packed quite a punch. Other than swallowing our medicines with a full glass of water, how can we be certain that our medicines are dissolving well? Should we drink them with warm or hot water? Is it better to get rx's for the liquid form if liquid is available? Thanks for any ideas.
Posted by Phillipa on March 13, 2005, at 17:43:02
In reply to Solubility of medications, posted by Sarah T. on March 13, 2005, at 1:22:57
I've noticed undissolved Calcium. This of course made me wonder the same. I guess the liquid would be best if it's available. Can you just dissolve lets say zoloft in water and swallow it? I know for an acute panic attack, a xanax tablet under the tongue will work more quickly. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Sarah T. on March 14, 2005, at 0:11:17
In reply to Re: Solubility of medications » Sarah T., posted by Phillipa on March 13, 2005, at 17:43:02
Hi Phillippa. I'm sorry to say, I don't know whether Zoloft can be dissolved in the mouth. I tend to doubt it, but I have no basis for my doubts. I just don't know. I do believe more medicines should be available in liquid form, not only for the solubility concerns, but so that we can take them in much smaller amounts/strengths than the pills, which many of us cannot tolerate.
Posted by Larry Hoover on March 14, 2005, at 11:15:15
In reply to Solubility of medications, posted by Sarah T. on March 13, 2005, at 1:22:57
> Have any of you ever had the feeling that your medication might not be dissolving properly, and that if it had better solubility, maybe it would work better? On more than several occasions, I've the unpleasant experience (sorry about this, it's kind of graphic and disgusting) of seeing some medicines in the toilet bowl, if you know what I mean. In other words, after I swallowed them, they never dissolved, but just passed through, whole, even though I drank a full glass of water with the drug.
It may indicate that you are hypochlorhydric, or achlorhydric. (Low or no stomach acid.)
Both conditions can be innate (the way you are), or acquired (due to e.g. stomach medicines).
There are ways to boost stomach acid formation, without promoting dyspepsia (upset stomach) or reflux (hearburn). Those are alternative solutions, and I'll talk about them next door....maybe tomorrow? I'm awful busy just now.
Lar
Posted by Larry Hoover on March 14, 2005, at 11:17:53
In reply to Re: Solubility of medications » Sarah T., posted by Phillipa on March 13, 2005, at 17:43:02
> I've noticed undissolved Calcium. This of course made me wonder the same. I guess the liquid would be best if it's available. Can you just dissolve lets say zoloft in water and swallow it? I know for an acute panic attack, a xanax tablet under the tongue will work more quickly. Fondly, Phillipa
I would lay money that you're talking about calcium carbonate. Also known as chalk. Also known as limestone. Have you ever found a piece of coral on a beach? It's nearly pure calcium carbonate, and it doesn't dissolve away in the waves.
Even in pure acid, calcium carbonate takes time to dissolve. If a medication pill uses calcium carbonate as a binder (fairly common), it stands a good chance of passing intact.
Lar
Posted by Phillipa on March 14, 2005, at 17:10:20
In reply to Re: Solubility of medications » Phillipa, posted by Larry Hoover on March 14, 2005, at 11:17:53
Checked the bottle, it was the citrate. I'm now taking Caltrate [which is carbonate] and no more undisolved pills. Go figure! Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Sarah T. on March 14, 2005, at 23:15:34
In reply to Re: Solubility of medications » Sarah T., posted by Larry Hoover on March 14, 2005, at 11:15:15
Thank you, Larry. I'll look forward to your reply, whenever you have time.
This is the end of the thread.
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