Taking pills every day can be necessary for remaining healthy, but for many, the thing that is designed to make them better can actually hurt them. A study by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found that between 2006 – 2015, almost 4,000 people called for medical assistance because of trouble they experienced swallowing dietary supplements, with three calls resulting in fatalities. Most of the people who required help were over the age of 65, with another study adding that 15 percent of seniors have issues with swallowing. We now have more vitamins, supplements and medications available to help people live longer, healthier lives, but using a pill crusher to enable people to safely take these tablets is in some cases as important as the medication itself.
Pill crushers are an excellent item for the elderly, but many other people can benefit from adding this practical and powerful item to their medicine cabinet. For those who use feeding tubes, pill crushers are a necessity when taking medications. For parents of small children, pill crushes can make administering large and difficult to swallow pills much easier, instead crushing the pills and adding them to pureed foods like apple sauce. Pet owners should also have pill crushers in their homes, helping their four-legged friends easily take their meds.
Even for those of us who don’t have health issues that prevent us from being able to take pills, large multivitamins can still be uncomfortable to swallow, with pill grinders making it easier than ever to stay healthy.
1. MAXGRIND™ Pill Crusher and Grinder
Made with a unique screw design that allows for optimal crushing with little effort, the MAXGRIND Pill Crusher and Grinder works like a pepper grinder, with users first twisting the grinder to break and crush pills and then letting it free spin to continue grinding the pills. The MAXGRIND has an internal cleaning feature that circulates air through the grinder and blows any remaining powder to the bottom of the cup, ensuring minimal residue.
Pros: The MAXGRIND has a hinged lid that makes the grinder an excellent option for traveling, with the grinder doubling as a pill case.
Cons: The MAXGRIND relies on the users to twist the grinder, so this may not be a great fit for people with arthritis in their hands or wrists.
2. Pill Mill Pill Crusher
Crush pills with minimal effort using the Pill Mill Pill Crusher, which grinds multiple pills at a time into powder by smoothly turning the handle at the top of the Pill Mill, making this an excellent choice for people with arthritis.
Pros: The Pill Mill is made durable with stainless steel and ceramic burrs, which help produce a consistently fine powder even when crushing multiple pills at once.
Cons: Large pills may need to be split before being put into the Pill Mill.
3. Ezy Dose Ezy Crush Pill Crusher
It’s crucial to have a pill grinder that you can take on the go, because your health needs don’t stop just because you’re not at home. That’s why this tiny option from Ezy Dose is so great. This compact option fits neatly in the palm of your hand, making it easy to pack for frequent travelers. It’s a great option for crushing up pills for pets like dogs and cats, too.
Pros: Compact option that’s good for travel. Economical.
Cons: Could be more durable.