Help with taking the Repliva for Iron!!! It's the size!!

I am having a very difficult time taking the Repliva for Iron, it is not the medication, it is the size and my pouch. I have cut it into four pieces and still have a time taking it. (I am only 4 weeks out tomorrow from surgery) I think I can cru**** and eat it with some applesauce, but how will this affect the absorbtion process, do I then need to wait 30 minutes before and 1 hour after like I do with food? I will do anything, because right now I am trying to get it down and sometimes it feels like it gets hung and I drink to move it and all the liquids come back up. I do not want to mess up my pouch or cause any extra scar tissue. Any suggestions would be very helpful!! Thanks a lot, Shelia

I never had to take that I just take gentle Iron from Walmart. Hope someone has suggestions. Beth B. in Chattanooga

Check with a local pharmacist about absorption and check with your surgeon about options. I am 8 months out and I can swallow them whole with no problem. I may be a freak tho.

Dr. Spaw has me take Foltrin which is iron and B12 with intrinsic factor. It is a capsule, but I think capsules go down easier than pills do. Why not call and ask about changing to this. I was able to start swallowing these capsules just 2 weeks post-op. If you want to wait until you have finished the prescription you have and take it crushed in applesauce, I wouldn't worry about the drinking restrictions. I'm guessing that you would only need about a tablespoon of applesauce to get the crushed pill down, maybe not even that much.

I take a chewable iron supplement. It is 29 mg iron and has a fruity flavor. You can order it through www.bariatricadvantage.com

I take Repliva 21/7 also..they are horse pills, but I just cut them in half and take them. I haven't done this yet, but I was told that if you put a medication in some water and it doesn't desolve in 5mins..that it goes straight to the toilet. I'm going to see what happens with this repliva cut in half does.