Swallowing pills (problems)
10 tips for swallowing pills
1. Moisten your mouth with saliva or water beforehand (a dry mouth makes swallowing harder).
2. Place the pill in the centre of your tongue, and lengthways along your tongue if the pill is oval-shaped.
3. Immediately take a sip of water and wash the pill directly into your throat.
4. Hold water in your mouth before inserting the pillsuspending the pill in water may help to flush it down.
5. Try using a straw to drink the water (the suction may help).
6. Taking a deep breath may help suppress your gag reflex.
7. Try chewing some food before placing the pill in your mouth, and swallow the food and pill together.
8.You may find it helpful to take pills with foods that have naturally thicker consistencies, such as a spoon of yoghurt or 'smoothie'.
9. Alternatively, you could insert the pill into a small piece of bread or a marshmallow.
10. After swallowing the pill, follow it up with a drink of water to help it go down.
NB: These tips are based on common sense, rather than scientific evidence, and may not work for everyone.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
If you or someone you care for struggles to swallow pills, you should discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist.
Finding an alternative form
If you or the person you care forfinds it difficult to swallow tablets or capsules, you can ask your GP or pharmacistif there's an alternative form of the medicine. TheSwallowing Difficulties websitea
Crushing tablets or opening capsules
You can ask your GP or pharmacist if your tablets can be crushed, or your capsules opened and dispersed in water, before taking them. Only certain tablets or capsules can be given this way. The follow
Legal issues
Anurse or carer of someone withdysphagia shouldn't alter the form of a medicine by crushing or opening it, unless they've been instructed to do so by a doctor. If you crush or open the medicine to giv
10 tips for swallowing pills
1. Moisten your mouth with saliva or water beforehand (a dry mouth makes swallowing harder). 2. Place the pill in the centre of your tongue, and lengthways along your tongue if the pill is oval-shaped
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