Tips To Help Swallow Medications
2/28/2023
Megan Fleischman, Aspirus Pharmacy Resident
Pills come in many
different sizes and textures, making some more difficult to take than others.
Trouble swallowing
tablets or capsules, also known as pill dysphagia, is a common
problem that affects many children and adults.
“Swallowing something
without chewing it can feel unnatural and people may struggle with the fear of
choking, gaging or asphyxiating,” says Megan Fleischman, an Aspirus Pharmacy
Resident.
People who may be more
likely to struggle with swallowing pills are children, older adults, and those
with certain medical conditions.
“Children’s mouths are
much smaller, making the pills feel a lot bigger. They also lack the practice
that adults have. Older adults who struggle with dry mouth or have other
medical conditions such as a history of a stroke or Parkinson’s disease are
also more likely to struggle with pill dysphagia,” says Fleischman.
There are two
suggested techniques that can help people improve their ability to swallow
medication: The pop-bottle method and the lean forward method.
For the pop-bottle
method:
- Fill a plastic water
or soda bottle with water.
- Put the tablet on your
tongue and close your lips tightly around the bottle opening.
- Take a drink, keeping
contact between the bottle and your lips and using a sucking motion to swallow
the water and pill. Don’t let air get into the bottle.
For lean forward
method:
- Put the capsule on
your tongue.
- Take a sip of water,
but don’t swallow.
- Tilt your chin towards
your chest.
- Swallow the capsule
and water while your head is bent.
If you’re still
struggling, contact your provider or pharmacist. They may be able to offer
alternative ways and helpful tips for taking certain medications such as:
- Putting the pill in
apple sauce or pudding. The texture can make it easier to swallow a pill whole.
- Grind a pill into a
powder and add it to applesauce or pudding.
- Cut a pill with a pill
splitter and swallow the smaller pieces one by one.
It is important to consult your pharmacist before
trying alternative methods. Some medications are not designed for these
methods and could alter the effects of the medication.
“One of the things
pharmacists are most concerned about when it comes to alternative pill taking
methods is dose dumping,” says Fleischman. “Dose dumping is when your body
absorbs too much medication too quickly. This could result in increased side
effects or a fatal overdose. Conversely, alternative pill taking methods can
also cause underdosing, rendering the treatment ineffective.”
Talk with your
provider or pharmacist if you have difficulty swallowing medications Find an
Aspirus pharmacy near you: https://www.aspirus.org/find-a-location.
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