Consuming oral medications present similar challenges to an ALS patient as consuming food does. It must be possible to place the medication in the mouth, and swallow it safely.
Ingesting an oral medication with hand and upper limb weakness can be challenging. Limited alternatives exist beyond keeping a single dose in a large but lightweight container that is easy to manipulate. Seek help from an assistant if no suitable adaptations can be made.
Some medications may be crushed before consuming. Doing so allows for consuming the medication with water or another liquid, and reduces the chances of choking.
Each medication information pamphlet should contain information about whether it is suited for crushing or not. A pharmacist or physician should be consulted before proceeding if the pamphlet does not contain this information. Crushing a medication can affect how it is absorbed by the body, which can have serious side effects.
In the past, a list of oral medications not suitable for crushing known as the "Do Not Crush List" was maintained by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). The list was formally retired in 2021.
Some medications are available in alternative forms, such as liquids or intravenous preparations, which may make administration easier.