Help getting child to swallow tablets (grim toe photo warning!)

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My 12 year old has been prescribed antibiotic capsules for a nasty toe infection and he just can’t make himself swallow them. We’ve tried various swallowing techniques, fizzy drink, spoon of yoghurt, persuasion, patience, etc. But no luck and 3 wasted tablets. It’s really important that he takes them!
Can anyone help?!

Open the capsule and mix with ice cream!! foot in hot salt water too

Crush tablet with the back of a spoon and conceal inside a jam sandwich.

We did something, but not sure if it is correct advice or not. If it is not, I may need to contact mumsnet to remove this.

I used to lie the child on the floor. They used to open their mouth. Child about 9 years upwards?
I used to throw the pill to the back of the throat. Most times pill was swallowed.

Mine you, not sure other advice on this thread is very good either, some of it.

Ok , I'm abroad so I don't know if they are available in Uk but in the chemists here they sell rice paper to wrap up chopped up tablets to make them easier to swallow. Basically get rice paper, dip in water, wrap small piece of chopped up tablet and swallow.

Capsules, open up, tablets, crush. Then mix with something.

Big drink through a straw after putting the tablet/capsule on the back of the tongue.

Wow! Lots of helpful replies already, thank you everyone!

Yes, they're Flucloxacillin capsules and can't be opened or chewed and have to be taken 4 times a day (!!) for 7 days on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after food... challenging enough for a ravenous almost-teenager.

I've had to let him eat dinner now, but later will try the sports bottle technique and practice with some little sweets. He really needs a dose tonight though.

He's also been prescribed a soaking solution (which none of the 5 pharmacists I went to today) had in stock, and I'm quite worried that doing nothing even for another 24 hours isn't a good idea. I'll have to ask GP for a liquid version tomorrow if all else fails, although GP did say that he's too old for it!

Yes, it's an ingrown toenail. We've been soaking in hot salty water for a week or so, but it got worse and pus-y yesterday so called GP.

You’ll need the full course of antibiotics

Has he missed doses?

Maybe ask for liquid antibiotic

btw you can see a foot clinic on NHS and get the procedure if still required after taking the course

He's 12. I might be wrong but are you sure you aren't overindulging him? He is going to have to do a lot ofcyhubgs in life he won't want to do.

Tell him, it's this or amputation! Maybe not that harsh but at 12 he shouldn't be making this decision.

It is a bit ridiculous that a 12 year old can't swallow tablets. If he can swallow sweets, he can swallow a pill. He's probably overthinking it. Palm of the hand, glass of water toss it back, gulp of water and gone.

I really don't understand when people say they can't swallow pills. What is it that stops you?

He hasn't started the course yet. Just picked them up this afternoon and we've wasted 3 getting them soggy trying.

I don't think I'm over-indulging him. I've tried being stern, being matter-of-fact, getting pissed off etc. I've told him that he HAS to take them because of the risk of blood/bone infection/needing his nail ripped off but I can't physically make him swallow them.

He is trying and has drunk gallons of water in the process but he just can't make himself swallow it. There has been much gagging, crying and shouting – so far all from him although I'm getting close!

He says he's not scared of choking or of the taste or of what the drug might do to him. He's scared of the actual tablet.

Crikey, DS2 just had his toe operated on last week and it was much less bad than that!

I got him to take antibiotics by resting the tablet on the back of his tongue and getting him to drink a big glass of water.

He's never needed to swallow tablets before so it's not something I've really thought about teaching him TBH...

Can you go back tomorrow and do liquid form?

You’ll run out now three have been lost anyway

Don't be unkind- lots of people can't swallow tablets.

I can swallow most dry; but that's me.

Everyone is different.

People tend to tip their head back to swallow tablets but its better to tip your chin down, then the tablet bobs to the top of the (big mouthful of) water and should go down easier.

Also, please photograph and post in Sporner’s Corner if it erupts.

God flash backs to my teenage years. I had years on antibiotics for ingrowing toenails. I have ELEVEN of the buggers surgically removed. Hereditary problem with the way our nails grow.

Top tip - his nails are WAY too short. They need to grow out and then be cut in a straight line rather then rounded like a finger nail would be.

Soak is salt water as hot as he can handle too.

I hope he gets an op soon

Following with interest as I also have a now 16 year old who cannot swallow tablets so i feel your pain.
Our Dr recommended popping the tablet in after chewing something like toast and swallowing in one go, but i can see several people have suggested that already.
Good luck OP

Try getting him to practice first with tic tacs, to learn the skill first. You can also cut up a jelly baby / gummy bear into quarters and try those. Once he can swallow a tic tac then move on to the actual antibiotic.

The gag reflex is really strong in some people. The merest hint of stress or anxiety, and the throat tightens up making it hard to swallow.

The harder he tries, the harder it will be.
Get him to relax and swallow lumpy food. Point out how big the lumps of food are, and that the tablets are far smaller. Give him a tablet with the food. Porridge or custard would be good.

At this point, better he takes it with food than doesn't take it at all!

Yep go and get tictacs or smints. Make him practice with those.

We never moved on to 6+ Calpol, just straight to half a paracetamol so they got used to tablets. Also we use various supplements so my DCs have had a lot of practice!
You've probably just been lucky to have a really healthy DC, if you've never needed tablets before.

If possible, it is best to get him over this now as it will save a lot of hassle in the future. Good luck.

Also, if you've lost 3 doses you will probably need to get more anyway, to finish the course.

I take prescription tablets everyday, some small, some bloody huge. I still have issues swallowing them. I couldn't swallow pills until I was 13/14. My DC has no such issue and has been able to swallow them for years now. Sometimes it's the luck of the draw.