A pharmacist receives a prescription for a modified-release tablet.

1. A pharmacist receives a prescription for a modified-release tablet. A patient complains that the tablet is too large to swallow and asks whether it can be crushed. Which property of the formulation is the most important consideration before deciding?

A. The colour coating used to identify the drug

B. Whether crushing could disrupt the drug-release mechanism

C. Whether the tablet contains a sweetening agent

D. Whether the tablet was manufactured using direct compression

2. A patient taking erythromycin begins taking another medicine that is extensively metabolised by CYP3A4. Which pharmacokinetic interaction is most likely to occur?

A. Increased metabolism of the second medicine, lowering its plasma concentration

B. Reduced absorption of the second medicine due to gastric acid neutralisation

C. Inhibition of CYP3A4, potentially increasing the second medicine’s plasma concentration

D. Increased renal excretion of the second medicine through tubular secretion

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