trouble taking medicine? how do you work around that?

[vonKrimm]

Most gel-caps can be dissolved in a small amount of hot water without affecting the properties of the medication; check with the pharmacist first.  Heat a 1/4 cup of water in the microwave for 60-90sec depending on your wattage; drop the gel-cap in and stir till dissolved; add honey or other preferred flavoring to it and serve to the child.  Add an ice cube if it too hot for him to take after the gel-cap is dissolved.

[gyrene81]

I used to think it was just a brain-block thing... especially after having heard all of his doctors say 'so what?' (basically).

But he vomits if crushed pills are mixed w/drink or food.  And he definitely vomits if any pills taken w/just water ever make it close to making it down.

I got a 14yr old in the house now that cannot swallow a pill either...brain blockage. I've watched the kid swallow a large mouthful of candy without blinking. I had the problem until I was 12. You said he has to chew his food completely before swallowing, he gets the gag to vomit reflex if you use crush pills mixed in drinks or food and if he tries to swallow a pill he vomits before it gets completely down. Watch closely how he chews and swallows his food. Has he ever swallowed a piece of chewing gum? How does he do with chewable baby aspirin?

Try some things that aren't medicine related, go buy some mini m&m's. They melt easily and don't have that medicine taste. Have him try to swallow 1 whole without chewing it...obviously with a swallow of water, soda or juice. Have him "practice" swallowing one repeatedly...that way there isn't any of that gagging on the taste issue if he can't swallow it and has to chew it.

[texasmom]

Great ideas everyone! Thanks!     I appreciate it!

[Tac]

Most gel-caps can be dissolved in a small amount of hot water without affecting the properties of the medication; check with the pharmacist first.  Heat a 1/4 cup of water in the microwave for 60-90sec depending on your wattage; drop the gel-cap in and stir till dissolved; add honey or other preferred flavoring to it and serve to the child.  Add an ice cube if it too hot for him to take after the gel-cap is dissolved.

Thing is, the purpose of the gel-caps is usually time-delayed release (in most medicines).

[Shuffler]

Any of you have trouble taking pill medicine? I've got one kid who absolutely can't take it.  Not with water, food (not even yogert, which is usually a sure thing).  Can't crush it, etc.  

Heck, even as a teen he has to chew his food to a pulp before he can swallow it.  When he was a toddler he choked on his food constantly.  I always seemed to have my finger down his throat pulling something out.  

So, anyone have anything you've done to help the ease of pill taking?

Some folks can only take it intravenously.

Wrap in bread.

[DREDIOCK]

Getting kids to take pills is easy.
Ya make em an offer they cant refuse

Course you could always use the blowgun type method like they do for horses and such

[mechanic]

TxMom, if he is on medication for acne, make sure he finishes the course. It is vital. I was told to take some evil antibiotic about 10 years ago to help with teenage skin, I didnt want to and I quit within a few months as i hated the side effects like tierdness and dark moods for no reason. I could have handled a few months of pills but this course was 16 months. I prefered to be ugly! But it was a huge mistake to start then stop. The only reason i mention it, the acne can become immune to antibiotics and even mutate to a worse state than naturally would have done. 
 Please consider natural remedies such as sunshine, good food and exercise. Acne has to be passed through and emerged from, it's in the blood, not through lack of showering like some people think. For me, healthy living and good sleep was the best cure. He needs to get through puberty before it will stop, so anythign that stunts your growth like ciggies and drugs, stay well clear till the acne has passed (or forever, preferably!)
 Sorry, i'm rabbiting on here, just wanted to say give life a chance to sort it out for him, don't make him take pills for acne it may just make things worse. Once he has a full face of hair he will have made it through the worst. Sleep well, don't do things that stunt your growth and get through it. Only take the pills if he can last the whole course.

S!

[texasmom]

TxMom, if he is on medication for acne, make sure he finishes the course. It is vital...
Sorry, i'm rabbiting on here, just wanted to say give life a chance to sort it out for him, don't make him take pills for acne it may just make things worse. Once he has a full face of hair he will have made it through the worst...

Thanks   He hasn't managed to get any of them down yet... and he's already pretty much at the point where he's got a full face of hair.  I'm content with him not taking any medicine aside from the topical creams.

I'm going to ask his doctor about other options... hopefully he's not blessed with my skin... which didn't become zit free way into my 30's.

[Flipperk]

I used to think it was just a brain-block thing... especially after having heard all of his doctors say 'so what?' (basically).

But he vomits if crushed pills are mixed w/drink or food.  And he definitely vomits if any pills taken w/just water ever make it close to making it down.

I've tried to make himself vomit on numerous occasions (when he was sick... get him to barf & feel better long enough to fall asleep), but he can't do the standard stick your finger down your throat & vomit deal.

He's not on medication on a regular basis, but I did just recently get him some medicine which is supposed to help clear up his acne.  If he ends up not being able to work it out, he'll just have to live with the creams unless I can talk the doc into giving him the injection medicine instead.


Thanks nwbie =) I'm checking that out

I used to be like that with pills when i was young, I would try my hardest to wash it down with water but anytime it would get near the back of my throat, I would gag and sometimes puke.

Honestly, even to this day, I just put the pill on my tongue, fill the mouth up with any beverage I have on hand swallow it all in one big gulp.

[Chalenge]

Have your child practice swallowing Gummi Bears.

[Blooz]

Since you said capsules TxMom it may be that the capsule floats in water?

If so then it's the opposite. Head down and swallow.

Also, check your yellow pages for pharmacies that specialize in alternate delivery methods.  Meds can be delivered in lots of different ways other than pills and capsules.

[Becinhu]

try mixing it in oatmeal. That always helped me with nasty tasting pills when I was a kid.