i would like to know if anyone else has a problem swallowing pills?

Question

i have had this problem for a long long time and their is so many medications, vitamins, and i am not able to take due to the fact i cannot swallow pills, i wish pharmaceutical companies would try to figure out a way for all people to be able to take medicine and vitiamins without pill form, do you have a problem like mine and if so what do you do about it, thanks for reading just curious

Answer 1

I used to have this problem. My doctor had me fill a spoon with applesauce or yogurt and then stick the pill into the food. You then "eat" the spoonful of applesauce or yogurt and just swallow it like you normally would. The pill goes down so much easier! This is great for capsule and pills which can't be broken and need to be left intact! Hope this helps!

Answer 2

The reason they don't do so many medication sin liquid form is because of taste. Most medications have a really nasty taste, and it's a fine line between making it taste good enough to take and so good it tempts children. Some of it, no matter what you do you can't cover the taste. And liquids can be trickier to provide the right dosage in as well. It's fine for kids, since their dosages are usually small- but for an adult, it might mean having to drink say a half cup of the stuff. Some pills can be crushed and mixed in with a bite of food- like applesauce, ice cream or the like. When you get a script filled, ask the pharmacist if it can be crushed. For those that have to stay whole, you just slip it in with something else just before you swallow. The only things that are real tricks are those medications that have to be taken on an empty stomach. With my kids, I use peanut butter or a bit of chocolate. Tastes good, they want to swallow it, and it will usually carry whatever down for the ride without triggering a gag reflex. Sorry, it's a common problem and sometimes you just have to be creative to find a method that works for you.

Answer 3

I have been an RN for many years and have occasionally run into this problem with my patients. (There are also those who can swallow ten at a time!) Put the pill in your mouth, take a mouth full of water and don't swallow yet. Point your chin toward your chest--the pill will float to the top of the water inside your mouth if you wait a moment--then swallow. Some patients who have had this problem for a long time tell me they have to put the pill as far back on their tongue as it will go, drink water and then swallow it. Seems to work for them. If all else fails, ask your doctor if the pill can be crushed (some time release pills shouldn't be). You can buy a little pill crusher at the drugstore. Crush the pill (or open a capsule), sprinkle it over a bite of apple sauce and eat it. Sounds nasty, but that's the only way some people can take their medications. Follow with a glass of water. Hope one of these helps you.

Answer 4

I used to have that problem big time. I used to fight anyone who would try to force me to swallow my medicine just because I knew I'd have trouble trying.lol My mom used to hold my toungue out then throw the pill down my throat.lol I soon got tired of that. So what I did I placed the pill on the back of my toungue and got huge amounts of water and tried to guzzle the pil down. At first it didn't work. The pill kept floating around. I found out that the trick is to drink the liquid as if there was nothing in the back of your throat. I can do it perfectly now, but I still wish there was a less hazardous way to take medicine.lol

Answer 5

I am 61 years old and I can swallow a handful of small pills at one time, but I have potassium pills that are as big as horse pills and even if I cut them in half they are difficult to swallow. When the pill cutter cuts them in two, there are sharp or rough edges, so now, I take the two pieces and rub the rough edges against each other, kind of like sandpaper and they are a bit easier to swallow, but some days I still have trouble swallowing them.

Answer 6

Yes, I used to have the same problem. I will eat something kind of chewy, like a sandwich. Right when you're about to swallow food, put the pill in the middle of the mush in your mouth and swallow. It might sound gross, but it works. That's the only way I can take large pills.

Answer 7

Many,many people have this problem. Go to the pharmacy and buy a pill crusher. Take a list of your medicines with you and check with the pharmacist that they are all OK to crush. Any that aren't, ask if there is a liquid form.
Crush the pills and mix with applesauce, pudding or ice cream.

Answer 8

I have the same problem and no matter how small they are I still can't do it. The only way I have found is to chew up a piece of cheese, hid the tablet in it and then swallow the cheese. I've tried other foods but Nothing else has worked.

Answer 9

I've got the same problem! As long as your doctor knows, s/he can usually find you an alternative medication in a smaller and more managable size or in liquid form, or s/he can prescribe you a variation of the medication that can be crushed into applesauce or whatever you prefer (alot of medication that isn't time-released can work this way. Tastes disgusting but gets the job done).

Hope you can find some helpful advice! :)

Answer 10

What a frustrating thing. Depending on what it is, I chop it up into smaller pieces. I also find that pretending that it's unchewed food can help if you're calm. I also find it easier if I swallow small frozen peas beforehand (as they melt and go soft in your mouth) to practise and then give the real thing a go pretending its just a pea (this one usually works if the pill isn't too big).