Using our advice

Please see Medicines suitable for adults with swallowing difficulties

The choice of medicine formulation should be made on an individual basis, taking account of patient factors. Follow our stepwise guide Choosing formulations of medicines for adults with swallowing difficulties

Licensed medicines in suitable formulations

There are no suitable licensed formulations of clopidogrel, modified-release dipyridamole or prasugrel.

Ticagrelor (Brilique) orodispersible tablets

The tablet should be placed on the tongue where it will rapidly disperse in saliva and can be swallowed, with or without additional water. Orodispersible tablets may not be suitable for people unable to control their swallow.

Ticagrelor (Brilique) film-coated tablets

Licensed to be crushed to a fine powder and given with water. See the SPC for details.

Aspirin dispersible tablets

Licensed to be dispersed in water and taken orally.

Dipyridamole 50mg/5ml oral suspension

Available as a licensed product that has a one-month expiry once opened and does not require fridge storage. It is licensed only for use in patients with prosthetic heart valves in combination with oral anticoagulation.

Evidence only supports use of modified-release, not immediate-release, dipyridamole preparations for prevention of vascular events.

Licensed medicines used ‘off-label’

Clopidogrel tablets

Film-coated but can be crushed and/or dispersed in water or crushed and given with soft food.

Ticagrelor tablets

Film-coated but can be crushed and given with soft food.

Prasugrel tablets

FIlm-coated but can be crushed and/or dispersed in water or crushed and given with soft food.

Aspirin dispersible tablets

Can be crushed and given with soft food.

Dipyridamole modified-release capsules

Contain modified-release granules. Can be opened and the contents mixed with water, juice or soft food. The granules must not be crushed or chewed.

Dipyridamole immediate-release tablets

Sugar-coated but can be crushed and mixed with water or given with soft food.

Evidence only supports use of modified-release, not immediate-release, dipyridamole preparations for prevention of vascular events.

Special-order medicines

The following preparations are listed in Part VIIIB of the Drug Tariff:

Clopidogrel

75mg/5ml oral solution; 75mg/5ml oral suspension

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