I need to switch my daughter to a medication that is covered by our insurance. The problem is that it only comes in pills that have to be swallowed(cannot be opened and put on something). My daughter gags and can't swallow a pill, whenever we had tried before. Any help, please?
2007-12-13 08:33:06 · 45 answers · asked by Amy D 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
get one of those cups they sell at the pharmacy of CVS. you put the pill on this ledge inside the cup and when you go to drink it, the pill slides in. Ask the pharmacist, they will know what I am talking about.
BTW: Crushing/ Splitting pills when you aren't supposed to is dangerous and stupid. Some pills are extended release, by cutting up the pill, you take away the coating, and are exposing the medicine to your body in ways it was not meant to be exposed.
2007-12-13 15:19:37 · answer #1 · answered by Sunshine 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I once read that a sports type bottle is easier when helping a child learn to swallow a pill. Do not have her lean her head back! That actually closes off part of the throat and makes swallowing more difficult. Here are some more tips:
-have your child put the pill in her mouth and then drink a glass of water through a straw. With this method, many kids concentrate on the straw and don't think about the pill, so it goes down easily.
-in addition to the pill, put a spoonful of applesauce, yogurt, or pudding in her mouth and then have her swallow it all together.
-have her chew on a piece of bread or a cookie and then put the pill in her mouth just before she would swallow it
-put the pill under your child's tongue and then have her drink a glass of water
-have your child practice swallowing smaller things first, before moving on to a pill
-put the pill on your child's tongue and then have her fill her mouth with water, so that her cheeks are full and puff out, and then have herswish it all around and then swallow it all
I definitley would not crush ot or cut it in half because it could change the effwectiveness! Good luck!
2007-12-13 09:16:08 · answer #2 · answered by вσуѕяυѕтιмєѕ3 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT open or crush the pill if it says that you are not supposed to. It is very dangerous and might harm her. I would talk to the doctor to see if he/she has any ideas. My six year old swallows pills, but it takes some coaxing. Tell her to put it as far back as she can and drink a sip of fluid. Then tell her to tip her head back til she does not feel the pill then swallow.
Good Luck!
2007-12-13 10:48:32 · answer #3 · answered by timber_2246 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes! Buy some fruit snacks, the soft kind, in flavors she likes.
"Gushers" work well as they are good-sized and soft. Sit down and eat some with her in a casual way. You can try to swallow one like a pill, then have her try. Let her bite into it a bit first if she must, but it will go down, no problem.
Avoid telling her that she "must do" this, make it fun.
If she is still resistant, milk and sparkling water also help to 'float' the pill down the throat. If she allows the pill to "float" down it works.
Allow her to be in the control seat. She will be more motivated and pleased with her success.
Good luck!
2007-12-13 08:53:32 · answer #4 · answered by clayinspiration 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try practicing first with a piece of whole kernel corn. Tell her to drink plenty of water to get her mouth and throat good and wet. Hold a little water in her mouth, place the corn in the water and then shake her head and swallow everything down in one gulp. This is going to take many tries, but if she bites the corn, it will be more pleasant than biting a bitter pill. Once she can take down a piece of whole kernel corn...the pill should not be a problem.
2007-12-13 08:38:39 · answer #5 · answered by Grandma of 2 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have her practice on M&M's.
Giver her milk to swallow it with.
It may not work.It took me till college to learn to swallow a pill.
There are plastic glasses with little places to put a pill and it is a way to learn.
http://www.strangenewproducts.com/2006/03/pill-takers-cup.html
Google "learn swallow pills " and there are many hits with suggestions.
Perhaps your doctor can call the insurance company and expalin that this child is too young to swallow pills and she needs the liquid version ? Sometimes that helps and they will then cover the liqud medication.
Good luck.
2007-12-13 08:43:00 · answer #6 · answered by Cammie 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My son was swallowing pills at this age. I put liquid in his mouth then he holds his head back and I drop the pill in. Tell her to hold her breath and then put the liquid in and the pill. She want even know it is there. You can try this by using tic tacs. They are small. Don't worry once she isn't scared of it , it will be fine. Act like it is no big deal and she want be as nervous about it.
2007-12-13 08:44:09 · answer #7 · answered by Bilinda G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mom had my brother practice swallowing pieces of corn and peas when he was 5 or 6 so he could learn to swallow pills. Seems like he picked it up pretty quickly.
2007-12-13 08:36:53 · answer #8 · answered by Pam H 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try putting the pill in a smoothie. She'll hardly notice the pill. If that doesn't work, try practicing with mini M&Ms. Then get her to do the real thing. Hope this helps.
2007-12-13 08:55:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can try surrounding it with a small lump of bread, followed by lots of water or juice.
If it's a small coated tablet or capsule, this may work, but from experience, if it's the grainy-type tablet that starts dissolving and tasting bitter, or if it's fairly large, this may not work.
If you continue to not have success after an honest effort, talk to her physician and/or your pharmacist to see if they can help you figure out an alternative that would be covered by your insurance.
2007-12-13 08:54:11 · answer #10 · answered by arklatexrat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋