Which of the following medications should be taken without chewing or crushing?

Enteric-coated tablets are specially designed to withstand the acidic environment of the stomach. They have a protective coating that prevents the tablet from dissolving until it reaches the more alkaline environment of the intestines. This design is crucial for several reasons: it helps to protect the medication from being broken down too early, ensures that it reaches the appropriate site of absorption in the intestine, and minimizes gastrointestinal irritation that some medications may cause. Chewing or crushing enteric-coated tablets can lead to indigestion, reduced effectiveness of the medication, or potential side effects, as the coating will be disrupted, causing the medication to dissolve in the stomach rather than being released where it is intended to be absorbed.

In contrast, buffered tablets are formulated to be gentler on the stomach and can often be taken as is, chewable tablets are meant to be chewed for proper administration, and capsules may be opened if specified by a healthcare provider, depending on the medication they contain. This highlights the importance of adhering to the specific method of taking enteric-coated tablets to ensure the medication's efficacy and safety.