OT-Need help getting a child to take a pill

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I agree with the applesauce. Or Jell-o. DS12 can be a bit of a weenie about swallowing pills, but he can usually do it with a big gulp of water or milk.

I have no problem with pills, but I do put it as far back on my tongue as I can before I take a drink. Some of the pain pills I take for my back are not coated, so swallowing them can be tricky.

 

[karliebug]

If it is a time release drug DO NOT CRUSH IT OR CUT IT IN HALF! This can cause too much of the medicine to be released at once. I give my DD 9 her pill in a spoonful of yogurt or applesauce.

 

[ChristineAndMatt29]

I haven't read all of the other posts but I'm 22 now and have always had trouble swallowing pills. I've been on medication for headaches for about three years now and unfortunately, they are pill-form! I had to learn.

Try: applesauce - don't have her chew the pill, just swallow the spoonful all together

Or have her the pill with milk or soda - soda makes it so much easier with the carbonation, and milk's think consistency. Just a sip, then drink some water after.

"Practicing" with other objects never helped. My doctor even recommended that - I thought she was crazy. Swallow a Good and Plenty whole? Are you kidding me?!

 

[taximomfor4]

Has anyone seen Baby Mama, when she's trying to swallow that HORSE sized pill....too funny.

My 3, 5 and 6 year old all take pills without a problem. They put the pill in their mouth and swallow...no biggie. My 13 year old, gags and cries and it's just ridiculous, so we still get her chewable Motrin...etc. My 14 year old started taking pills at 10 or so...but we had to do the applesauce or pudding and open the capsule and mix it in with the stuff. His medicine was time release too, but for some reason the doctor said that it was fine to take the capsule apart and mix it in with something...said the little beads inside had another coating? Maybe your doctor can prescribe it in another form?

I'm glad none of mine have to take anything regularly.....especially the 13 year old, she'd drive me INSANE with her Drama!!!

My advice: If the dr tells you to go ahead and open the capsule, and mix the beads into something, do NOT take his word for it. Ask a pharmacist or 2, instead, just to make sure.

 

[TheRatPack]

Well, he was on this pill for about 2 months and it never hurt him....but I suppose it would make more sense to ask a pharmacist if it ever comes up again.

 

[WantToGoNow]

My ds7 takes 5 pills a day -- 3 are chewable and the other 2 (same medicine - whole pill in the am and 1/2 in the evening) has to be swallowed. I usually have him do the chewables first, then I remind him that he needs to swallow this one without chewing. The first few times he gagged but now he has no problems. We tryed putting it in yogurt at first and that seemed to help a little. Then he follows them up with an inhaler. At night he gets the 1/2 pill and the inhaler.

 

[JoiseyMom]

With DS5 we first used ice cream!! Had to make it worth his while. Then we were going on vacation and we switched it to a spoon of whipped cream. Now he does swallow on his own, but the other 2 items worked real well!

 

[badblackpug]

1. Crush it and put it in a small spoonful of peanut butter.
2. Use a pill cutter and divide it in half so she can take a half at a time.
3. Do what my Dad used to do with my sister and throw it down her throat (I do not recommend this one, but if there is no other way and she has to have the pills I know that it CAN be done.)

If it is time release DO NOT crush or cut the ill.

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

Well...

I'm 25 and I still can't swallow pills...and believe me, I've tried...and tried..and tried....actually, I try every time I get sick! I just have a really bad gag reflex. I've tried applesauce...practicing with other small candies, even little pieces of bread switched into a "pill" shape but softer, and drinking all sorts of things, cutting the pill in half, etc. I know everyone says that when I finally HAVE TO swallow a pill for an illness or something, I will figure it out...and I guess I will agree. Don't be too hard on your kids if they can't do it yet! I remember standing over the sink for hours and hours...trying and trying...and gagging and gagging...and WISHING that I could just do it! Your kids are probably not holding out because they don't want to!

 

[Minnie]

My advice: If the dr tells you to go ahead and open the capsule, and mix the beads into something, do NOT take his word for it. Ask a pharmacist or 2, instead, just to make sure.

I had a DR tell me to go ahead and open a capsule. I double checked with the pharm. like always and guess what... If I'd have opened that capsule I would have had major problems. It was absolutely NOT to be opened. So why DRs are great they aren't as knowledgable about meds as your pharm!

OP - Please show some patience with your child! I'm in my 30s and can't swallow pills for any reason. I actually had one get stuck and it was a nightmare so it's a total no go for me. Everyone has issues and why this may seem like nothing to you..... it is a major deal to some of us!

 

[chip007]

I was 38 before I was able to swallow pills. I tried the applesauce and pudding route but that didn't work because it's pretty easy to detect the pill and push it aside -- even involuntarily.

What worked for me was really chunky salsa (mild, of course). I couldn't tell the difference between the pill and the pepper/tomato, so it became a lot easier.

 

[KAMLEM]

make sure she is taking it with something other than water. Pop works best.

My doctor always said to NEVER take medicine with soda. Not sure why.

 

[cjackearl]

Yes, be patient with your DD, but KEEP TRYING! None of my kids has ever swallowed a pill and my oldest has major problems doing it. The last time she was prescribed medicine and the Pediatrician found out she couldn't swallow a pill, she said to have her work on it because its a brain tricking process. It becomes much more difficult to trick your brain into swallowing a pill after age 10 or so. We're working on it with limited success, so all the suggestions are great. I'm going to try some of them with all of my kids. Hopefully starting younger will make it easier for my younger two.

 

[tonga]

I'm in my 40's, and still can't swallow pills. It's so incredibly frustrating, but nothing has worked so far. There are a few new hints in this thread that I'll try to practice with mini M&Ms!

When I got my wisdom teeth pulled at age 18, I was still pretty out of it from the anesthetic when the nurse tried to get me to take pain killers. I told them it didn't hurt that much and I didn't need them, and then when they persisted I said that I couldn't swallow pills. The nurse said she could get me to swallow it, and my response was "Want to bet?" She tried, and believe me I would have been happy to lose that bet and get some painkiller into me, but it didn't happen!

 

[Momma2dakidz]

Here are some suggestions......If i can teach a severely autistic child to swallow his pills you can definately teach your daughter.

Go to the healthfood store and buy some gel caps to practice with. Buy the size up from what she has to swallow.

You can coat the pill in anything slippery, cool jello water, butter (i know ick) babyfood, applesauce, cream cheese. ect

Pop it in her mouth mid tongue, to far back and it causes you to close the passage off.

Try to have her swallow it with it just being coated, many of my kids cant take pills with water. if she can do this give her a drink immediately.

If she cant swallow it without a drink try giving her a drink with a squeeze bottle.

another tip, we first started this while reclined back in a recliner.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!
Becky