Which medications cannot be crushed for administration through a GI tube?

Enteric-coated and time-release tablets should not be crushed for administration through a gastrointestinal (GI) tube because these formulations are designed to control the release and absorption of the medication in specific parts of the digestive system. Enteric-coated tablets are buffered to prevent dissolution in the stomach; crushing them would lead to premature release of the drug, which can result in irritation of the stomach lining or altered absorption. Time-release tablets are formulated to release the medication gradually over an extended period, and crushing these would cause the entire dose to be released at once. This can lead to potential toxicity or ineffective treatment, as the intended therapeutic effect is compromised. In contrast, liquid medications, chewable tablets, and scored tablets can typically be safely administered through a GI tube, following appropriate guidelines.