Group 1 - A recent incident in Fujian highlights the dangers of improperly taking medication, where a man experienced a severe drop in blood pressure after splitting a controlled-release antihypertensive tablet, leading to a medical emergency [1] - Medications labeled with "controlled-release," "sustained-release," or "enteric-coated" should be swallowed whole, as breaking or crushing them can lead to rapid drug release, potentially causing shock or death [1][2] - Controlled-release tablets are designed to release medication at a constant rate, allowing for once-daily dosing, while regular tablets require multiple doses throughout the day [2] Group 2 - Sustained-release tablets, while having a different manufacturing process than controlled-release tablets, also aim for slow drug release and should not be split, as this can lead to adverse reactions [4] - Enteric-coated tablets are designed to dissolve in the intestines rather than the stomach; splitting them can cause premature dissolution in the stomach, affecting efficacy and potentially irritating the gastric lining [4] - Capsules should not be opened, as this can expose the medication to stomach acid, affecting its release and increasing gastrointestinal side effects [4] Group 3 - Patients should be aware of the proper sequence and timing for taking medications, as this can impact their effectiveness and reduce the risk of adverse reactions [5] - It is advised to space the intake of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine by about half an hour, and to take certain medications after meals to minimize gastrointestinal irritation [5] - Storage conditions for medications, including temperature and humidity, are crucial for maintaining their efficacy; for example, insulin must be stored between 2°C and 8°C to remain effective [6][8]

Group 1 - A recent incident in Fujian highlighted the dangers of improperly using controlled-release medication, where a man experienced a severe drop in blood pressure after splitting a controlled-release pill, leading to a medical emergency [1] - Controlled-release tablets are designed to release medication slowly over an extended period, and breaking them can lead to rapid drug release, causing serious adverse reactions [1] - Patients should not assume that a controlled-release medication that appears intact in stool has not been absorbed, as the drug may have been released and absorbed in the body [1] Group 2 - Besides controlled-release tablets, patients should also be cautious with sustained-release and enteric-coated tablets, as improper handling can compromise their effectiveness [2] - Some sustained-release tablets can be split if they have a clear score line, but those without a score line should not be broken, as this can damage the release mechanism [2] - Enteric-coated tablets are designed to dissolve in the intestine, and breaking them can lead to premature release in the stomach, potentially causing irritation and reducing efficacy [2]