What Causes Problems Swallowing Pills?
If you have a physical problem swallowing pills—such as a small mouth or throat or problems with the muscles involved—it’s called dysphagia. This is a problem for people with a lot of different medical issues, including:
Cerebral palsy Parkinson’s disease Cleft palate Cancers of the head, neck, or esophagus
For many people who have problems swallowing pills, it’s purely psychological. A 2021 study found that people who’d previously choked on pills or who’d had a strong negative reaction to the taste or texture of them were more likely to have trouble swallowing pills later. Even a single bad experience was enough to cause an ongoing problem.
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. An enteric coating prevents the medication from being released until it reaches the small intestine. Enteric-coated medications, if not swallowed whole, can:
Cause stomach irritationBecome inactivated by stomach acidAffect your taste budsStain your mouthDamage your tooth enamel
Anything With “Release” in the Name
Some medications are specially designed to be:
Sustained-releaseExtended-releaseTimed-releaseControlled-releaseContinuous-release
The physical structure of these medications is essential for them to be released into your bloodstream as intended. If you chew, crush, or cut them, all the medication hits at once, which means you can overdose on the drug. This can lead to potentially serious—and even fatal—side effects.
How to Swallow Pills
To overcome throat-tightening, jaw-clenching, and pill-chewing habits, here are a few different methods to try.
Numb and Relax
Before taking pills:
Take several deep breaths to relax neck and throat muscles. Hold an ice cube or popsicle in your mouth to numb your throat and calm your gag reflex. Take a drink of water before placing pills on your tongue. Place the pill on your tongue. Some people recommend the tip while others suggest the middle of the tongue. Try both and see what works for you. Don’t psych yourself out by thinking, “I’m taking a PILL,” which may make your throat tighten. Think “FOOD” instead.
Pop-Bottle Method
This method is backed by at least one study and involves four simple steps.
Fill a flexible plastic beverage bottle with water. Put the pill on your tongue and wrap your lips tightly around the entire bottle opening. Sucking on the bottle opening to maintain a seal, tip your head back, and drink from the bottle. Swallow immediately. The bottle will collapse inward and create a suctioning movement that helps you swallow.
Lean-Forward Technique
The same study backs this method, which is specifically for capsules (because they float.)
Put the capsule on your tongue. Take a medium sip of water but don’t swallow. Tilt your chin down toward your chest, which causes the capsule to float on the water and thus be near your throat without triggering a gag reflex. Swallow while your head is in this position.
Special Products
Several products are on the market that the manufacturers claim will help you swallow pills, and most only cost a few dollars. They include:
Pill-swallowing cups and strawsThroat-numbing spraysPleasant-tasting pill coatings you add yourself
Your healthcare provider or pharmacist may have experience with or have received feedback about these products, so ask if they recommend any.
A Word From Verywell
Whether it’s a sip of water, a popsicle appetizer, a special cup, or working on your psyche that will eliminate problems with swallowing pills—do it. Considering the risks of chewing or crushing some drugs, it’s the safest approach.
