I HATE Meds with Blister Pack!!!

[phylt]

Unfortunately got Covid. On prescribed RXs to fight. Good.
Bad - the #@%&$!!!!! pill Blister Packs!

As we age (me anyway) our dexterity and patience decline. Those packs with the tiny foil ends to peel back create another health issue = a pain in the a--. Sometimes rather than try to get that impossible little foil corner started I simply punch and jab the cardboard or cut thru the plastic with small scissors. Of course THAT could cause another health issue. Just can't win.

On 4th day of 10 with one med, day 3 of 5 for the other. More swearing to come....

[Stu from NYC]

Agreed way to hard open the package.

[ThirdOfFive]

unfortunately got covid. On prescribed rxs to fight. Good.
Bad - the #@%&$!!!!! Pill blister packs!

As we age (me anyway) our dexterity and patience decline. Those packs with the tiny foil ends to peel back create another health issue = a pain in the a--. Sometimes rather than try to get that impossible little foil corner started i simply punch and jab the cardboard or cut thru the plastic with small scissors. Of course that could cause another health issue. Just can't win.

On 4th day of 10 with one med, day 3 of 5 for the other. More swearing to come....
Agreed. A P.I.T.A. for sure.

[Cupcake57]

Take a box cutter and slit each blister from the back and they punch right out. Hope you get better soon.

[ElDiabloJoe]

I use one of these to cut open blister packs, clamshell packs,. etc.

https://www.homedepot.com/pep/RYOBI-USB-Lithium-Power-Cutter-Kit-with-2-0-Ah-USB-Lithium-Battery-and-Charging-Cable-FVC51K/318584392?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&utm_source=google&utm_medium=vantage&utm_campaign=23678&utm_content=25331&mtc=SHOPPING-RM-RMP-GGL-D25P-Multi-NA-RYOBI_3338-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-MK862139001-23678-NBR-3338-NA-VNT-FY24Q1_Q4_RYOBI_D25P_RM__AON_CPT&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-RM-RMP-GGL-D25P-Multi-NA-RYOBI_3338-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-MK862139001-23678-NBR-3338-NA-VNT-FY24Q1_Q4_RYOBI_D25P_RM__AON_CPT-71700000117265670--&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAolLu98KR97KdPwEcW3k4Xv08QjTU&gclsrc=ds

[Stu from NYC]

I use one of these to cut open blister packs, clamshell packs,. etc.

USB Lithium Power Cutter Kit with 2.0 Ah USB Lithium Battery and Charging Cable (https://www.homedepot.com/pep/RYOBI-USB-Lithium-Power-Cutter-Kit-with-2-0-Ah-USB-Lithium-Battery-and-Charging-Cable-FVC51K/318584392?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&utm_source=google&utm_medium=vantage&utm_campaign=23678&utm_content=25331&mtc=SHOPPING-RM-RMP-GGL-D25P-Multi-NA-RYOBI_3338-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-MK862139001-23678-NBR-3338-NA-VNT-FY24Q1_Q4_RYOBI_D25P_RM__AON_CPT&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-RM-RMP-GGL-D25P-Multi-NA-RYOBI_3338-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-MK862139001-23678-NBR-3338-NA-VNT-FY24Q1_Q4_RYOBI_D25P_RM__AON_CPT-71700000117265670--&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAolLu98KR97KdPwEcW3k4Xv08QjTU&gclsrc=ds)

Overkill?

[Stu from NYC]

I use one of these to cut open blister packs, clamshell packs,. etc.

USB Lithium Power Cutter Kit with 2.0 Ah USB Lithium Battery and Charging Cable (https://www.homedepot.com/pep/RYOBI-USB-Lithium-Power-Cutter-Kit-with-2-0-Ah-USB-Lithium-Battery-and-Charging-Cable-FVC51K/318584392?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&utm_source=google&utm_medium=vantage&utm_campaign=23678&utm_content=25331&mtc=SHOPPING-RM-RMP-GGL-D25P-Multi-NA-RYOBI_3338-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-MK862139001-23678-NBR-3338-NA-VNT-FY24Q1_Q4_RYOBI_D25P_RM__AON_CPT&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-RM-RMP-GGL-D25P-Multi-NA-RYOBI_3338-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-MK862139001-23678-NBR-3338-NA-VNT-FY24Q1_Q4_RYOBI_D25P_RM__AON_CPT-71700000117265670--&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAolLu98KR97KdPwEcW3k4Xv08QjTU&gclsrc=ds)

Overkill?

[Altavia]

Hate then also.

The key is to fold over an edge or corner a few times to separate the foil.

Or a seam ripper works well.

[thelegges]

If you ask pharmacy to repackage they will be happy too, unless the meds are sensible to environment. They will also change a non locking cap. Depending on what you are prescribed, the side effects are concerning for us

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I just cut them open with a scissors. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

[Stu from NYC]

I just cut them open with a scissors. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

Depends upon how thick the plastic is. We have had them where we needed a very sharp knife

[blueash]

I have no idea, but, I wonder what would happen with a prescription item, if you told the dispensing pharmacist that you cannot open the blister packs and would they please open them and dispense your pills into a regular pill bottle. Maybe they would??

[tophcfa]

Hypocrisy? It’s totally acceptable to pack your RX in that crap, but society has somehow decided it would be bad for the environment if you brought it home in a future dod poop plastic bag! Go figure?

[Wenham]

Unfortunately got Covid. On prescribed RXs to fight. Good.
Bad - the #@%&$!!!!! pill Blister Packs!

As we age (me anyway) our dexterity and patience decline. Those packs with the tiny foil ends to peel back create another health issue = a pain in the a--. Sometimes rather than try to get that impossible little foil corner started I simply punch and jab the cardboard or cut thru the plastic with small scissors. Of course THAT could cause another health issue. Just can't win.

On 4th day of 10 with one med, day 3 of 5 for the other. More swearing to come....
They package everything as if a Gold Bar is inside.

[RoseyRed]

I always use scissors for those annoying packs!

[golfing eagles]

Having just returned from 3 weeks in Africa, I wonder how anyone compares the perceived "inconvenience" of opening a blister pack versus no medication at all????? Yet another first world problem to whine about.

PS: to the OP---get well soon.

[ResQme]

I know exactly how you feel. Through trial and error, I discovered an easy way to peel them off. Once you get ahold of the corner, instead of pulling straight back, pull along one of the edges. If you're doing it correctly, your hand/wrist will be doing a twisting/rotating motion. Easier to visually demonstrate than to describe (at least for me.) Once you get the hang of it, it's easy!

[socrafty]

Unfortunately got Covid. On prescribed RXs to fight. Good.
Bad - the #@%&$!!!!! pill Blister Packs!

As we age (me anyway) our dexterity and patience decline. Those packs with the tiny foil ends to peel back create another health issue = a pain in the a--. Sometimes rather than try to get that impossible little foil corner started I simply punch and jab the cardboard or cut thru the plastic with small scissors. Of course THAT could cause another health issue. Just can't win.

On 4th day of 10 with one med, day 3 of 5 for the other. More swearing to come....


This may help, hope you feel better!

[Sandy and Ed]

Hate then also.

The key is to fold over an edge or corner a few times to separate the foil.

Or a seam ripper works well.
Now the first sensible tip to handle the very real problem for people with hand dexterity issues. Of course these instructions may or may not be n all blister packs. Thank you.

[Sandy and Ed]

This may help, hope you feel better!
Can you provide a link or advise where you purchased this item?

[Margefrog]

Blister packs should be outlawed! They are anti-human. 🤣

[socrafty]

Can you provide a link or advise where you purchased this item?

Ugh, every time I put in the link, my info is attached. It's from Amazon, search for blister pack pill opener. There are many that come up.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Overkill?

One would think it's overkill. Until the first time one slices their hand on one of those d@&*^&^ed blister packs.

[rothbear]

UGH.........this is me!! Even OTC meds come this way. Used to be able to get some of them in bottles now they have blister packs. The problem with these little corners is that people with arthritis in their hards (again, me) have trouble getting hold of the corners. My ability to "pinch" and grab has gone down and I can't even get a good enough grip to pull them back. I have a pair of cuticle scissors that I use to cut the back of the packing around the edge of the pill.

I seem to always need a drink before starting to unload purchases bought at any warehouse club. Talk about PITA clamshell packaging.

[4$ALE]

UGH.........this is me!! Even OTC meds come this way. Used to be able to get some of them in bottles now they have blister packs. The problem with these little corners is that people with arthritis in their hards (again, me) have trouble getting hold of the corners. My ability to "pinch" and grab has gone down and I can't even get a good enough grip to pull them back. I have a pair of cuticle scissors that I use to cut the back of the packing around the edge of the pill.

I seem to always need a drink before starting to unload purchases bought at any warehouse club. Talk about PITA clamshell packaging.

;) Me....I only drink on days that end in "y". :beer3:

[LianneMigiano]

Blister packs are very often outrageously difficult to access! I wish that pill manufacturers would let us know WHY those ridiculous packs were required - and exactly why they made them so difficult to open. It always annoys me when I open a medication that I've purchased and find 30/60/90 pills in this HUGE exterior packaging when a package 1/4 of the size would suffice! Is it a matter of "mine is bigger-than-yours contest - like in an elementary schoolyard? Yeah, sure, the manufacturers are really helping the environment by using more packaging, aren't they? NOT!

[obxgal]

Here is the link to the one shown

Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Household-Extractor-Assistance-Disabled/dp/B0DGCPS6NW)

[jimjamuser]

Unfortunately got Covid. On prescribed RXs to fight. Good.
Bad - the #@%&$!!!!! pill Blister Packs!

As we age (me anyway) our dexterity and patience decline. Those packs with the tiny foil ends to peel back create another health issue = a pain in the a--. Sometimes rather than try to get that impossible little foil corner started I simply punch and jab the cardboard or cut thru the plastic with small scissors. Of course THAT could cause another health issue. Just can't win.

On 4th day of 10 with one med, day 3 of 5 for the other. More swearing to come....
You have to be impressed with the people that DESIGN the pharmacy packages. They have to block children, but allow seniors to be able to open them.

[jimjamuser]

Hypocrisy? It’s totally acceptable to pack your RX in that crap, but society has somehow decided it would be bad for the environment if you brought it home in a future dod poop plastic bag! Go figure?
Plastic bags are bigger and lighter than prescription packs so they blow around further and get in streams and the ocean and affect birds and fish.

[jimjamuser]

They package everything as if a Gold Bar is inside.
But, it prevents children from choking (and the resulting lawsuits).

[jimjamuser]

I am mildly surprised that so many people do NOT know the REASON behind the hard to open packs and bottles. As a hint - before about 1950 everything was EASY to open.

[JMintzer]

I am mildly surprised that so many people do NOT know the REASON behind the hard to open packs and bottles. As a hint - before about 1950 everything was EASY to open.

So what's the REASON?

You can get enough Oxycodone to over-dose and die, and it will be dispensed in a normal pill bottle...

[ElDiabloJoe]

I am mildly surprised that so many people do NOT know the REASON behind the hard to open packs and bottles. As a hint - before about 1950 everything was EASY to open.
Coincidentally (or not) the parent organization to the American Trial Lawyers' Assn (the Nat'l Ass'n of Claimants' Counsel of America) was founded in 1946.

What did Shakespeare say about lawyers...?