No matter the reason, you’re able to learn how to swallow pills by using certain strategies.
Tetra Images / Getty Images
What Causes Problems Swallowing Pills?
Even a single bad experience was enough to cause an ongoing problem.
Tetra Images / Getty Images
When Chewing Pills Isn’t Safe
With some pills, chewing or crushing is just fine.
With others, though, it’s a bad idea for many reasons.
It can lower the effectiveness of a drug or cause serious side effects, including overdose.
Enteric Coating
First and foremost, some medications are enteric-coated.
This can lead to potentially seriousand even fatalside effects.
All of the information your healthcare provider and pharmacist give you about medications is important.
If the instructions don’t mention chewing or crushing tablets, don’t do it.
Keep in mind that some medications do come in liquid forms as well.
Pill Stuck in Your Throat?
Sometimes after taking a pill, you may feel that it’sstuck in your throat.
If you might swallow normally, it isn’t stuck.
That feeling is called aglobussensation and experiences with it can make some people reluctant to swallow pills.
Considering the risks of chewing or crushing some drugs, it’s the safest approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fear orphobiacould be preventing you from relaxing your throat and swallowing a pill.
In those instances, you may have to learn some tricks to manage your medication.
Talk to your healthcare provider about these possibilities.
Read the warnings and be sure you understand how to properly take all medication.
When possible, it’s probably best to take pills with water instead of soda.
Provide encouragement and remind them thatit’s a skill that takes practice.
No, it’s not a good idea.
First, ask your pharmacist if it’s OK to crush or cut up pills.
AMN healthcare Education Services: rn.com.Nursing drug guide: Look before you crush!.
2014;12(6):550-552. doi:10.1370/afm.1693
Michigan Medicine.Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia).
Crushing tablets or opening capsules: Many uncertainties, some established dangers.
Harvard Health Publishing.Two tricks to make it easier to swallow pills.
2021;29(7):699-705. doi:10.1016/j.jsps.2021.04.032
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Pill swallowing techniques for kids and teens.
2014;25(2):180-184. doi:10.5152/tjg.2014.5415
