Lots of people find it hard to swallow pills. There are things you can try to make it easier.
Tips for swallowing pills
Do
-
take pills with water – you may also be able to take some pills with other drinks or food, but always read the instruction leaflet first
-
lean forward slightly when you swallow
-
practise swallowing with small sweets or bits of bread – try bigger pieces as swallowing gets easier
Don't
-
do not throw pills towards the back of your throat
-
do not tip your head back too much when you swallow – this can make swallowing harder
-
do not crush pills, open capsules or alter your medicine without getting medical advice – this could stop the medicine working properly
Do not try these tips if you also have difficulty swallowing food and drink because you might choke. See a pharmacist or GP for advice.
A pharmacist can advise you about:
- other versions of your medicine that might be available – for example, you might be able to get it as a liquid or a tablet that dissolves
- crushing, dividing or opening up certain tablets and capsules – but only if they tell you to do this
Causes of swallowing problems
Reasons for finding it hard to swallow pills include:
- fear of choking – this can make your throat tense and narrow when you try to swallow
- a dry mouth
- general swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) – for example, due to a condition such as a stroke