Pill Swallowing Strategies

I often choose my nutritional supplements based on which are easiest to swallow because I have difficulties taking pills. Do you have any advice for swallowing pills?

As you get older, pill swallowing can definitely get tough. But fortunately, there's a simple way to solve the problem. In fact, the following five tips will make swallowing any pill easy:

• Lubricate your mouth and throat with a few sips of water before taking your vitamins.
• Tip your head forward with your chin down when swallowing pills. The pill will float to the back of your mouth, as your throat opens—making swallowing a cinch.
• Use a water bottle. Keep your lips pursed and attached to the bottle using a sucking action to drink. Your throat will automatically open, followed by the natural urge to swallow.
• Take one pill at a time. It is easier on both your throat and esophagus.
• Swallow using cold water or juice. Hot beverages can cause some pills to disintegrate or become sticky.

If you're still having trouble, you can blend your vitamins into a smoothie. Just be sure you open any capsules and dump in the contents separately. You can also break open your capsules, or crush tablets, mixing the contents into a cold food such as yogurt or apple sauce.