A Good Tip For People Who Have Trouble Swallowing Pills

[Wish Upon A Star]

My DD (13) got a prescription today for a cough . . .in pill form. DD does not swallow pills . . .she always gags, chokes, spits it out, etc . . .I tried to tell peditrician that she does not do pills . .he assured her they were easy to swallow and that they were the size of a pea . . .Well, low and behold . . .DD couldn't swallow the darn thing . . .So, I gave up until I talked to my Mom . . .Mom said to give the pill on a teaspoon with some applesauce and it'll slide right down . . .and it WORKED! DD was able to take her medication with no trouble . . .the only thing is now I'll always have to keep a jar of applesauce available.

 

[SuiteDisney]

Aren't Moms smart?

 

[nancy679]

My mom has a terrible time swallowing pills, she actually crushes them, but she just had to take a time released capsule so it couldnt be crushed. Her friend told her to coat it in vegetable oil, and she was able to swallow it. The applesauce probably tastes better though, especially for kids

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

Yup!

 

[Serena]

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

The mistake a lot of people make with CAPSULES is to throw their head back. Capsules float, so the best way to get them to the back of your throat is to place the cap in your mouth, take a big drink, tip your head FORWARD, then swallow hard.

Hope this helps someone!

 

[Claudia1]

That reminds me of a funny WDW/pill story.

When our DS was about 8 years old, we were at Peco's Bill's in the MK. He had developed a headache and muscle aches from the day and I wanted to give him some Tylenol. I didn't have any liquid on hand and DH told me to give him 1 regular tablet. He had never learned to take pills, so I showed him how by taking one for my headache.

Well, he squirmed & fussed & was quite hesitant about taking the pill. After some coaxing, he finally said that he wasn't afraid of taking the pill. I then asked him why he was so agitated.

He timidly pointed to my throat and whimpered, "I don't have to take that one , do I?!?!?!?"

I gues he thought I was going to regurgitate the pill and give it to him!

 

[aahmom1]

I've always had a hard time swallowing pills, what I do is put the water in my mouth first, tip my head back, and drop the pills in. Swallow the mouthful of water and the pills go with it.

 

[BethR]

Thanks so much Wish Upon a Star! I have already shared this info with my 19 year old who hates to take pills because she "hates the taste of them." This should make things easier. She asked if she should then drink water after swallowing the applesauce with the pill?

CJMickeyMouse, I will be sure to share your hint for capsules with DD as well. She is a very logical thinker, so I am sure that she will like this hint.

I will also share these with my Pharmacy Student DD - I am sure that these are things that will be handy for her to know.

 

[CindyBeth]

I also have always had trouble with pills! In fact, about 7 years ago, I had to take an antibotic that was like a horse pill! It was so huge! I tried to take it and it got caught in my thoart. My dh did the hymleck(?sp) on me, which now we know was dumb, cuz I could still breathe, I just couldn't swallow. It was totally stuck!!We call 911 and they came to the house, but didn't want to do anything because I could breathe, so they told us to go to the hospital. On the way there, I had to throw up and up and out came the pill. I had a sore throat for several days. Now I make sure the pills are small or I cut them or crush them!

 

[DopeyRN]

This is a pet peeve of mine. There are so many meds that cannot be crushed safely. I wish parents would work with children to learn how to swallow pills young.

What I did with my kids was give them m&ms or skittles and a glass of water and let them practice. They taste good so if they do not get them down at first it will not turn them off. Do this when they are well, and the next time they are sick it will be a breeze for them. I promise, it works!!

I met a mom whose kids did not swallow pills because she was so afraid of swallowing them herself that she convinced them they did not need to either...

 

[Buckalew]

CJMickeyMouse,
This is exactly how I learned to swallow a pill.

 

[B3LM]

Great tip! I'll have to remember that one.

Thanks!
Beth

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yes I am 37 and hate to do pills. I have to take them with Pepsi or Coke in order to swallow.
Next time I have to swallow a capsule I will think of you CJ, thanks for the tip.

BTW my 11yodd & Dh make fun of me when I have to take a pill, because I jerk my head forward and back and then swallow the pill.

 

[whirlsy]

we put ours in some pudding

 

[Kermit]

I can't stand swallowing pills. I do it if I have to, and I've gotten to the point where things like Tylenol gelcaps don't bother me, but big antibiotics make me gag every time. My mom tried everything she could with me when I was little. She made me swallow M&Ms, she bought me a special cup, and tons of other things, but it still bothers me. I do it, but I hate it.

I think the applesauce would work for me with stuff that was sort of small. Part of the reason I don't like pills is because of the horrible taste from the gelatin that gets on your tongue. But it would completely freak me out with big pills.

In case you're wondering, I take chewable prenatal vitamins.

 

[Lucky4me]

I hated swallowing pills and would end up choking and spitting them out every time.

Someone along the way taught me this and it works every time.
I pop the pill in as far as I can in the back of my mouth and quickly take a huge gulp of water or milk and swallow. I 'pretend' I'm just drinking and no pill is there.

Even the big horse pills go down easy this way. I guess it's mind over matter..