What should be avoided when administering coated medications?

When administering coated medications, crushing them should be avoided because the coating often serves a significant purpose. Many coated tablets have an enteric coating designed to protect the medication from being dissolved by stomach acid or to ensure that the medication is released in the intestines rather than the stomach. Crushing these medications can damage the coating, leading to premature release of the active ingredients, which could render the medication ineffective or lead to increased side effects. Additionally, some coated medications are designed to control the release of the drug over time, and crushing them would disrupt this controlled release mechanism.

The other answers pertain to ways of taking the medication that may not necessarily compromise its effectiveness or safety as significantly as crushing does. However, it's always prudent to follow specific guidelines provided by healthcare professionals regarding the administration of coated medications.