In this episode, we’re joined by Prof. Kathryn Steadman, who gave an excellent presentation at last year’s European Society for Swallowing Disorders conference in Münster, Germany. Her talk explored the question: Does swallowing tablets with an IDDSI Level 4 gel impact drug absorption?
Because this topic isn’t discussed much – and Kathryn brings a lot of expertise as a pharmacist – we’re happy to have her with us to talk about safe and effective medication intake for people with dysphagia.
Topics we discuss:
- the role of swallowing gels in medication administration
- dysphagia as a potential side effect of medication
- the pros and cons of crushing tablets or pills
- what the future might hold for medication strategies in dysphagia care
Links & Literature:
- Malouh et al. (2025). Does using oral medication lubricants to swallow whole or crushed tablets alter drug absorption in vivo? A randomised, single-dose crossover bioequivalence study in healthy adults. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2024.106552
- Don’t Rush to Crush – Advanced Pharmacy Australia
Podcast: Play in new window | Download