How To Swallow Pills

  references
  
      Patient Preference and Adherence: "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down? A review of strategies for making pills easier to swallow"
    
      Cleveland Clinic: "Is It Safe To Split Pills?"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Mayo Clinic Q and A: Drug interactions with foods and drinks"

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

If you find it tricky to swallow pills (whether it's over-the-counter meds, supplements or a prescription) try simple tactics like drinking a glass of water beforehand or adjusting your posture.

Image Credit: amphotora/iStock/GettyImages

Talk to Your Pharmacist
Hydrate
Change Your Posture
Cut the Pill in Half (Maybe)
Mix With Food (Maybe)
Try a Pill-Swallowing Cup
Don’t Give Up

Avoid cups and straws if you or the person taking the medication has swallowing difficulties (such as dysphagia), since they could be a choking hazard.

            The 8 Best Pill Organizers of 2023, According to Doctors
           by
          Lindsay Tigar
          
            How Bad Is It Really to Swallow Pills Without Water?
           by
          Jaime Osnato
          
            Dry Throat? Here's What Your Body's Trying to Tell You
           by
          Marygrace Taylor
        


      Patient Preference and Adherence: "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down? A review of strategies for making pills easier to swallow"
    
      Cleveland Clinic: "Is It Safe To Split Pills?"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Mayo Clinic Q and A: Drug interactions with foods and drinks"