Can't swallow pills

[daisax]

First of all, just a warning -- many medications should NEVER be chewed -- you risk serious injury by doing so (I know I had some prescription-strength cough suppressant pills that would literally paralyze your throat if the liquid touched them -- no harm if it broke up in your stomach, but you absolutely shouldn't expose mouth and throat to them, etc.) There are also meds with time release aspects to them and you could overdose by splitting the pill and getting too much too quickly into your system. And of course many times it doesn't matter at all.

If it's just an occasional thing, of course, you can just force yourself, unpleasant as it is. However, those who must take medication daily or regularly and are really struggling should find a local compounding pharmacist. They can make pills into liquid or gel or patch form (depending on the medication, of course), even customize flavors to help swallow unpleasant liquid medications. Might cost you more, might not.

But if somebody's facing daily medicine and having a terrible time, it's worth looking into.

 

[mickeyboat]

Try what we speech therapists call the "chin tuck". Try tucking your chin to your chest when you are swallowing the pill. It creates a perfect "path" to your tummy. It works for some.

I am going to try to remember this when my kids need to start swallowing pills. I tried it with just my soda, and it really seems to do what you say.

Denae

 

[Goofyluver]

I am going to try to remember this when my kids need to start swallowing pills. I tried it with just my soda, and it really seems to do what you say.

Denae

I hope it works!!!

 

[Cool-Beans]

It's a mental thing, not a physical one. Remember that you swallow big hunks of food and this is no different. It is harder, but it is smaller and you can get it down.

Yes, some meds can be crushed, but not all can. Some can't even be broken. Eventually you're going to have to swallow a pill, so you might as well do it now.

Start with mini M&Ms (which actually are food). They're so tiny that it is easier. Put it in, drink a sip, and swallow. While you're doing it just keep thinking, "It's just like food." Work your way up to regular M&Ms. You can practice all you want and if you screw it up and it doesn't go down it won't start dissolving into that bitter-tasting stuff.

When you can swallow an M&M, get a bottle of Vitamin C. It is an actual pill, it isn't really big, and it tastes good if you can't get it down the first time. Next, swallow a multi-vitamin. They are a decent size.

Once you've swallowed your multi-vitamin, put on your graduation cap and walk around humming "Pomp and Circumstance." You're ready to go out and take on the whole world of pills.

You can swallow a multi-vitamin (and a Vit C, if you want) every day to keep you in practice. And if you don't eat a well-balanced diet, it'll help to keep you healthy, as well.

I have patients who can swallow handfulls of pills - some really big ones! They learned once, too. So can you.

Good luck!!

 

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

Yup, I have the same problem - but I mastered the solution!!

I take my pills whole when I eat. I put something in my mouth, chew it up and right before I swallow I pop the pill in and swallow everything all together. No horrible aftertaste. It works well, all the time. If I have a drug that I have to take without food I drink something thicker than water, usually chocolate milk or something else I really like.

Good luck, I know it is difficult!!

 

[Stucas]

I have swallowed a pill only once in my life, and that one time I choked on it as it went down. I was so excited as it started going down too. I kept thinking.."I'm doing it! I'm doing it!" Then I started coughing and it came back up i have always been able to find my meds in liquid. Until about a month ago I took childrens liquid Advil for headaches (worked GREAT!) but the bottle wa sonly good for 2-3 doses and its expensive. Then tylenol came out with liquid extra strength for adults, it worked but not as well. Now they have adult chews and they are awesome! For other pills, like my dairy pills I went to target and got a pill crusher/cutter. It was $5 and on one side it has a device to chop pills in half and the other side crushes them to a perfect powder. I'm going to try some of the tricks posted here and see if any work.

-Lauren

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

I will back up the poster that says some pills should NOT be crushed or broken.... that can be very dangerous in some instances.

One suggestion if you are trying to swallow a capsule - they float - so put the capsule in your mouth, take a big drink of liquid and TILT YOUR HEAD FORWARD. The capsule floats to the top of the water - near the back of your throat - and goes down easily.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I will back up the poster that says some pills should NOT be crushed or broken.... that can be very dangerous in some instances.

In some instances, it could kill you. Time-release blood pressure meds, for instance. Smash one of those up and swallow it and watch your world start swimming as your blood pressure diminishes and you pass out...and maybe die. If it is meant to be released over time, it is not a good idea to release it all at once.

If you have a decent doctor and pharmacist, though, the doctor will tell you not to split/crush and the bottle and pamphlet will be covered with stickers telling you not to split or crush the pill.

 

[minnieandmickeymouse]

I can swallow smaller pills, but bigs ones I just can't. I will crush them and mix them sugar and milk. My dad used to do that for me when I was little and couldn't swollow pain meds.

 

[bookgirl]

Make jello jigglers and cut a square slightly bigger than your pill. Put the pill into the jiggler (make a small cut to the center and insert pill). Put the jello in your mouth, swish it around to lubricate and then swallow. The jello gives and fools you into swallowing it.

 

[Cinderella94]

Make jello jigglers and cut a square slightly bigger than your pill. Put the pill into the jiggler (make a small cut to the center and insert pill). Put the jello in your mouth, swish it around to lubricate and then swallow. The jello gives and fools you into swallowing it.

I do the same type of thing with applesauce. Put some on a spoon, put the pill in the middle, and just swallow. Works every time