Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

How to swallow a pill

Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD
Meds
November 11, 2022
51 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

You’ve been swallowing things your entire life: breast milk (or formula), food––maybe a marble or small Lego. But did you know that swallowing pills is different?

Let’s start with how not to swallow a pill.

Sorry, but Bruce Willis in all five Die Hard movies is incorrect. You don’t just take a small handful of aspirin, toss them into your mouth, and jerk your head back while swallowing.

Not to mention, if you have a dry mouth (xerostomia) or trouble swallowing (dysphagia), the pills will likely get stuck and make you choke. Or, they’ll just roll around your mouth and stick to the inner part of your cheek.

Mission not accomplished!

Okay, too many Hollywood references already. But, it is so easy to use the movies as examples of how not to swallow a pill. Bruce and Tom, I do love your movies …

So, what is the best way?

First, these tips and tricks apply to all pills: prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, supplements, vitamins, and other oral remedies (not dissolving or liquid formulations).

Pills can often be more comfortably swallowed when taken with something that is not water. Try “nectar-thick” liquids, applesauce, pudding, and the like. Or, even a mouthful of food that you have chewed––pop a pill in just as you are about to swallow.

It is easier for many people to swallow something with substance because when it gets to the back of the mouth (posterior oropharynx) the tongue base has an easier time propelling it downward. Note to self: peanut butter doesn’t work very well.

The technique is also important.

Do not toss your head backward and chug them down; you are not drinking beer. Actually, tilting your head forward can help avoid pills “going down the wrong way” (translate: ending up in your airway and causing lots of coughing and gagging).

I’ll never forget when my late grandmother was in the hospital. She was not used to taking many medications (even at the age of 105!) and tilted her head back but couldn’t get her morning meds down. Gently redirecting her to tilt her head forward did the trick. Oh, and adjusting the hospital bed and pillow so her head and neck weren’t scrunched so uncomfortably.

This brings up another reason for trouble swallowing pills, a condition called presbyesophagus. No, it is not a religious term. It literally means changes in the appearance of the esophagus (the long, muscular conduit leading from our mouth to our stomach), often due to aging. It typically causes a change in motility: the ability of the muscles to work correctly while swallowing.

As people age, there are many factors that can lead to the esophagus not working well––it is a muscular tube, and many things impact muscular function. So, if a pill is “not going down,” it can get stuck and cause many problems.

Here’s where things get counterintuitive. Bigger pills are easier to swallow than smaller pills.

Yes, I realize that those “horse pills” are daunting. But, swallowing a tiny pill — you know, the ones that when you drop on the floor you can’t find­­ — can be tricky because they are so tiny and hard to propel downward. Chugging some water afterward can definitely help.

That said, I don’t mean to insult those with pill phobia. There are some who are fearful about swallowing any type of pill, large or small.

One other tip is to ask your pharmacist or check online resources to see if your pill(s) can be crushed before taking it. Not all pills can, and sometimes crushing will destroy how the medication or supplement is to be absorbed. So, be sure to find out.

Do you have a bitter pill to swallow?

And, yes, I mean an actual bitter pill, not the metaphorical one! Another trick is to learn where the taste buds are generally located on your tongue. If you carefully place a bitter pill (prednisone, for example) on the center of your tongue, you’ll get less of that horrible aftertaste upon swallowing.

Lastly, I’d encourage everyone taking any medication, supplement, or other oral remedy to get into the habit of naming every one before swallowing. Bonus: also, name why you are taking it or for what condition.

Better yet, do this out loud, even if you are just talking to yourself!

I know that can be challenging to do while in the hospital when pills arrive in a tiny white paper cup. However, you can do this at home even if you use a pillbox for daily, weekly, or monthly pills.

Your physician will thank you the next time you review your medication list and don’t refer to “the little white pill.”

I recently had the pleasure (hah!) of swallowing 14 pills in the morning for a post-COVID neurologic complication and tried doing this naming exercise. It was harder than it sounds! I identified each pill and its use before tossing the whole bunch in my mouth to swallow. Phew!

I will end with a personal opinion about gummy supplements and medications.

I actually find the huge gummy industry misleading. It really looks like candy to me (and to kids!), and often there are dyes and sugars that make the gummy more appealing (and to kids!). And, it is too easy to take one or two extra. (Same for kids!)

More is not better, even for a “good” supplement or pill. So, this just doesn’t pass under my safety radar without causing a blip.

Susan J. Baumgaertel is an internal medicine physician.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Prev

Toughness is not defined by a dollar amount [PODCAST]

November 10, 2022 Kevin 0
…
Next

Better guidelines that consider breast density are critical for women's health

November 11, 2022 Kevin 1
…

Tagged as: Medications

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Toughness is not defined by a dollar amount [PODCAST]
Next Post >
Better guidelines that consider breast density are critical for women's health

More by Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD

  • Emotional seasons: 3 vignettes of love, loss, and connection

    Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD
  • The impact of a lack of diagnosis reaches far and wide

    Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD
  • The hidden world of chronic disease

    Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD

Related Posts

  • The ritual of taking medications: the pill wheel

    Fery Pashang, PharmD
  • Tips to help you afford medications

    Roy Benaroch, MD
  • Take a pill and stop aging. Really?

    Stephen C. Schimpff, MD
  • The double-edged power of the medications we prescribe

    Hans Duvefelt, MD
  • Concerns about the generic formulations of ADHD medications

    Jolene Won
  • How can we improve the quality of medications?

    J. Leonard Lichtenfeld, MD

More in Meds

  • Telemedicine in the opioid crisis: a game-changer threatened by DEA regulations

    Julie Craig, MD
  • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

    Richard A. Lawhern, PhD
  • Can personalized medicine live up to its hype in health care?

    Ketan Desai, MD, PhD
  • The effects of the nationwide stimulant shortage on a private psychiatry practice

    Christine Tran-Boynes, DO
  • Why North American medical cannabis can’t compete globally

    Michael Sassano
  • How were we duped and what can we do about the opioid overdose crisis?

    Ronald A. Zent, MD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • The untold struggles patients face with resident doctors

      Denise Reich | Conditions
    • What is driving physicians to the edge of despair?

      Edward T. Creagan, MD | Physician
    • Beyond pizza and pens: National Doctors’ Day should be about saving lives

      James Young, MD | Physician
    • Physicians are a finite resource we need to protect

      Jack Resneck, Jr., MD | Physician
    • From clocking in to clocking out: the transition to retirement

      Debbie Moore-Black, RN | Conditions
    • How understanding cultural backgrounds can lead to better patient care [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • Nobody wants this job. Should physicians stick around?

      Katie Klingberg, MD | Physician
    • The fight for reproductive health: Why medication abortion matters

      Catherine Hennessey, MD | Physician
    • Resetting the doctor-patient relationship: Navigating the challenges of modern primary care

      Jeffrey H. Millstein, MD | Physician
    • It’s time for C-suite to contract directly with physicians for part-time work

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Corinne Sundar Rao, MD | Physician
    • The Titanic sinking: a metaphor for the impending collapse of medicine

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Corinne Sundar Rao, MD & Shreekant Vasudhev, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • How understanding cultural backgrounds can lead to better patient care [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • From license to loneliness: the dilemma of retired physicians

      Richard Plotzker, MD | Physician
    • Tackling the health care crisis with artificial intelligence: Combating physician and nursing shortages in the United States

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Tech
    • From hope to heartbreak: a story of loss in the ICU

      Ton La, Jr., MD, JD | Conditions
    • Unlearning our habits: a journey from intelligence to wisdom

      Brian Sayers, MD | Physician
    • Lessons from an orthopedic surgery journey [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

Leave a Comment

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • Experts Call for PBM Transparency During Senate Hearing
  • Want to Fix Medicare Pay for Primary Care Docs? How About Two Fee Schedules?
  • OTC Narcan Approval Opens New Doors in Fight Against Opioid Crisis
  • U.S. 'Flying Blind' When It Comes to Data on Substance Use in Pregnancy
  • Fear of Family Separation a Barrier to Addiction Care During Pregnancy

Meeting Coverage

  • VTE Risk in Recurrent Ovarian Cancer Increases With More Lines of Chemotherapy
  • Obesity's Impact on Uterine Cancer Risk Greater in Younger Age Groups
  • Oral Roflumilast Effective in the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis
  • Phase III Trials 'Hit a Home Run' in Advanced Endometrial Cancer
  • Cannabis Use Common in Post-Surgery Patients on Opioid Tapering
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • The untold struggles patients face with resident doctors

      Denise Reich | Conditions
    • What is driving physicians to the edge of despair?

      Edward T. Creagan, MD | Physician
    • Beyond pizza and pens: National Doctors’ Day should be about saving lives

      James Young, MD | Physician
    • Physicians are a finite resource we need to protect

      Jack Resneck, Jr., MD | Physician
    • From clocking in to clocking out: the transition to retirement

      Debbie Moore-Black, RN | Conditions
    • How understanding cultural backgrounds can lead to better patient care [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • Nobody wants this job. Should physicians stick around?

      Katie Klingberg, MD | Physician
    • The fight for reproductive health: Why medication abortion matters

      Catherine Hennessey, MD | Physician
    • Resetting the doctor-patient relationship: Navigating the challenges of modern primary care

      Jeffrey H. Millstein, MD | Physician
    • It’s time for C-suite to contract directly with physicians for part-time work

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Corinne Sundar Rao, MD | Physician
    • The Titanic sinking: a metaphor for the impending collapse of medicine

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Corinne Sundar Rao, MD & Shreekant Vasudhev, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • How understanding cultural backgrounds can lead to better patient care [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • From license to loneliness: the dilemma of retired physicians

      Richard Plotzker, MD | Physician
    • Tackling the health care crisis with artificial intelligence: Combating physician and nursing shortages in the United States

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Tech
    • From hope to heartbreak: a story of loss in the ICU

      Ton La, Jr., MD, JD | Conditions
    • Unlearning our habits: a journey from intelligence to wisdom

      Brian Sayers, MD | Physician
    • Lessons from an orthopedic surgery journey [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today iMedicalApps
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Leave a Comment

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...