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Foil strips for medication.

(56 Posts)
travelsafar Wed 23-Aug-23 19:17:07

Does anyone else find these are very sharp on the edges. I'm always having small cuts on my finger tips when handling these to pop out my medication.😒

Janetashbolt Sat 09-Sept-23 21:16:42

Slight derail you can recycle empty foil blister packs at Superdrug branches that have a pharmacy on site

0ddOne Tue 29-Aug-23 16:24:55

I don't get cuts, but I struggle getting some of the pills out of the foil strips. Some are easy, and pop out no problem, but others, especially the prescription painkillers I take, take a real effort, and often snap in two in the process. I carry a small penknife with me and I've started using that to make a slice in the foil, and that makes popping them out much easier!

VeeScott Tue 29-Aug-23 09:32:09

Excellent!

Elegran Tue 29-Aug-23 08:56:02

Some of the foil or the plastic is too tough to rely on just pushing the pill through from the plastic side, and some pills are very small, and so they are in a small plastic bubble which doesn't "bend" onto the pill as easily as a wider bubble does. Also, some people's fingers are more arthriticky than others!

Forofo8 Tue 29-Aug-23 08:21:47

Don't struggle with the silver foil. Just push the pill out from the plastic side.

Gwenisgreat Mon 28-Aug-23 22:32:40

I, too, break the 'silver side' with my nail, so much easier to get out.

annodomini Mon 28-Aug-23 19:20:22

My finger nails are adequate for getting my pills out of foil packs. So far!

mulberry7 Mon 28-Aug-23 18:38:14

I have cut my fingers when opening boxes of tissues, one quite deeply, on the serrated edges under the cardboard lid. I phoned the manufacturer, the agent seemed astounded that I would bother, promised a call-back, and none happened.
I'm surprised someone hasn't demanded compensation for similar injuries, oe could I be the only one this has happened to?

yogagran Mon 28-Aug-23 15:51:08

Amazon have these on their website

missdeke Mon 28-Aug-23 14:57:19

Harris27

I struggle getting the Paracetamol out of the silver strips!

Why is it that paracetamol is so difficult? I have different medications and the trouble I have with paracetamol is 10 fold what is is with the other stuff.

Cornishgreenhouse Mon 28-Aug-23 14:42:12

Contact lens foils always seem to slice my fingers!

MountainAsh Mon 28-Aug-23 13:58:16

Sorry, that was in reply to the iPill link

MountainAsh Mon 28-Aug-23 13:56:53

Must be registered to an NHS GP surgery based in England.

EEJit Mon 28-Aug-23 13:41:59

But they come in handy for cutting through the unperforated tape on some of the boxes

Nellietheelephant Mon 28-Aug-23 13:40:10

All these horrible problems solved in one go! A previous poster mentioned Ipill, which is a good system, but I take PillTime and have had grateful thanks from others I have recommended them to. They check with your doctor, and then send a monthly roll of small transparent pouches - well in advance - which are easy to grip and tear open - fine for arthritic hands. On the front of each is the day, date, time and a list of contents. Tear and swallow! No dealing out or mistakes in transferring. I hope some people may try it - you can always cancel and go back to your old system.

Tinydancer Mon 28-Aug-23 13:33:21

My nails are so weak my right hand thumb nail keeps breaking when I try to push them out. Also get little cuts and pills flying across the room.

coast35 Mon 28-Aug-23 13:10:40

My chemist fills my dosset for me and delivers it to me. Never lets me down. It’s a wonderful service.

cornergran Mon 28-Aug-23 12:44:50

Mr C is currently prescribed 8 different tablets to take at varying times of the day. All in blister packs. Wretched things. I’ve been using a knife but will look at the pill popper gadget. Probably safer!

Gwyllt Mon 28-Aug-23 12:22:53

All packaging seems more difficult these days. Perhaps it’s an age thing

win Mon 28-Aug-23 12:14:57

Cut the silver on the back with a little knife first, I do that on all strips when I do my weekly dosage boxes. Saves time fiddling. Occasionally my thumb nail will do some of them but then ruins the nail vanish. So knife is best.

farmgran Mon 28-Aug-23 12:12:31

Pierce the foil with the point of a knife and press the plastic.
I used to pierce all the Panadol foil as soon as I got it. They've improved it now.

Anotherbottle Mon 28-Aug-23 12:06:00

Look on Amazon , they have a pill popper gadget !

SillyNanny321 Mon 28-Aug-23 11:52:53

None of the openers I have tried work so now take all my paracetamol to my son with a resealable bag inside a box & problem solved! My Granddaughter at 7 years old is even better at opening them 😂

Elegran Mon 28-Aug-23 11:50:08

You need one of these.
www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=pill+blister+pack+opener&tag=gransnetforum-21
Blister pack opener. It pushes out the pill for you, and catches it in a holder - no more losing pills under the fridge.

grandtanteJE65 Mon 28-Aug-23 11:37:42

Ours are not sharp, just tough, so I cut the packs open with the kitchen scissors on things like aspirin that are packed flat. The bubble packs usually react well to a finger nail, or a paring knife.