Problems Swallowing Medication

[Spontaneous Smile]

Lol pills to be exact. I didn't want people to think it was those kinds of drugs though.

So, ever since I was old enough to swallow pills, I've had problems. It's like I lock up and can't swallow them. I currently take 2 pills. One of which is so small that it's not difficult for me at all (it's like...the size of a pin). But the other one is more difficult for me. I freeze up and can't bring myself to swallow it. I'll stand there for 30 seconds- 2 minutes, trying to prepare myself to down it, but I just can't convince myself to do it. Of course, I do swallow it eventually. But it's just discouraging.

[Mellifluous]

Instead of taking it with water, try milk. I hear that works. I used to have trouble taking pills, but eventually I just got used to it

[Mustang412]

When I was younger -- I would put the pill in a little spoonful of yogurt and that always helped for me.

[Everglow.]

I have the exact same problem. Mine comes from the fact a mint slipped down my throat when I was younger and I choked on it, so now I can't swallow anything big. Whats I do is get disolvable or dispersable ones and mix it with a flavoured drink I like. Or, if you can't get that, put it between two spoons and crunch it up, put it in a drink and swallow it. It's a lot easier.

[Maloo]

My sister used to put them in a spoonful of applesauce or ice cream when she was younger.

[FairyPoppins]

I have the same problem. I just swallow mine with food.

If you're not supposed to take them with food, try yogurt as someone else suggested. (It's pretty much milk.)

[Anomaly]

I have the same problem. I can only take small pills otherwise I gag and it just won't go down. There's this thing that cuts the pills in half, I can't remember what it's called though. It really helps me out. You could try googling pill cutter or something like that.

[Troubled_Heart]

I have to take some pills too, at first I couldn't do it and for about 2 months I had to chew them with yoghurt even though it was really bad for me. Milk works wonders, it's so much easier to take it with! If you can swallow it as you said you should get used to it the more it happens, and try not to think about it, just put it in your mouth and keep swallowing! Don't worry about it, it should come natural soon Xxx

[Verità]

Take them with something, and if you can, crush them. Also, place them on the back of your tongue and tilt your head back, it makes it a bit easier.

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

Unlike some of the advice, only certain pills can be crushed or cut in half. Pills that can be cut in half usually have a small groove on one side or both sides. The picture below is of Dilantin Infantabs:



When I was younger I had a similar issue. Unlike other users, it wasn't because I had previously choked on something, I was just fearful that the medication would get stuck in my throat. To practice, I swallowed peas and similar-sized foods whole because most pills are around that size. Later on, it became easy because I just imagined it was a pea. Now I don't have to imagine it as a pea, I have no problem taking pills.

If you don't want it with water, you can take milk, applesauce, yogurt, etc... . Be cautious for juice though if the ingredients contain grapefruit juice, even if it's a small amount, take something else.

[Spontaneous Smile]

I used to have a pill cutter, but I like to not use it so much anymore. The milk we have is skim milk, so it's basically like water. As for the yogurt and food, I ought to try that.

My mom and grandma always told me that if the pill dissolves or something then it doesn't work as well. So I've always just assumed to try and swallow it normally and quickly. :/

But thanks for the advice so far, guys!

[niente_]

I had that problem too, to the point where my mum had to open the capsule and pour the powder in to a glass of water, mix it round and shove it down my throat. I hate swallowing paracetamol, to the point where I'd rather just hurt -_- lol

[MegaMadness]

I had this problem. I just kept trying again and again and after a few tries now I'm just used to it. That's my best advice.

[Nightblood.]

If you like chocolate milk, buy a small thing of low fat or non fat chocolate milk. For me, it makes it feel like I didn't swallow anything at all. I always have this when I have to take giant pills that wouldn't usually go down for me at all. I usually get the store brand.
And like someone said, against what some others have said, do NOT dissolve or crush them unless you ask your doctor if it's okay. Some are time released and crushing/dissolving them you would be getting it all at once.

[Briana]

My advice is to throw the pill in the back of your mouth... like open your month and put the pill on the back of your tongue and with your gag reflux it will fall down your throat on it's own...it might feel weird and it's kinda like dry swallowing, but it works, then drink a big gulp of water to help push it down further.

[Magical Forest.]

I used to absolutely hate taking pills, and now I take 7 in one go!
Make sure you have a drink on hand, I use orange juice, or milk works fine. Put the pill(s) on the back of your tongue, take in some fluid, tilt your head back and swallow. Follow with more fluid.
Taking tablets is something you get used to, don't know how I built it up to 7 at a time (not overly large ones)

[Kristen♡]

Same exact problem! It's so aggravating!

[ALLorNOTHINGforCHRIST]

There are things not really machines, but little things you can get that will actually crush the pill for you.