How do it get DS (16) to take antibiotic tablets

[WESM]

DS is 16. He has a in growing toenail and we went to the local minor injuries and the nurse gave him antibiotics. She gave him tables (capsules) as he is 16, and I thought this would be a good chance to get him to take them instead of liquids. We had tried before, but he isn't very happy about swallowing things.

Well, it has been a nightmare. I've tried fizzy drinks, water, squash, a banana, fruit smoothie, and all sorts and he says he can't swallow them.

Any other ideas on how to do it?

Crush the pill and mix it in with a spoonful of jam or similar.

They're capsules so probably shouldn't be crushed. Put the capsule in a spoon of peanut butter or chocolate spread?

Does he know how to get the capsule as far as he can go then lift his chin as he swallows?

Failing that get a new script of liquid antibiotics.

Ds had same problem. He even texted me from a uni lecture convinced it was stuck in his windpipe! He managed eventually with lots of water and practice. Toe all sorted now too.

I find tablets go down easier if you take them while drinking from a sports bottle.

Believe it or not, there are lots of short videos on You Tube demonstrating various tips & methods for pill swallowing.

Chew some food and pop it in just as you are about to swallow ,have a drink too to help it all down.

Does he know to put the capsule on the midline of his tongue aligned lengthways (like he is sucking on a straw) - so the capsule is aligned ready to swallow? Then take a swig of water and swallow. Have a second swig of water ready. It does take a bit of getting used to! Ds (17 with ASD) also struggled at first - he was frightened of choking- but he can manage now. If all else fails - you may need to get the GP to prescribe a liquid version. It might also be worth asking the pharmacist for their advice- they will know what other formats are available- or if the capsule is suitable for crushing up ( I think most are not).

The only way I can take tablets is to take a mouthful of water, tip my head back, drop the tablet in and swallow. That way I don't feel it in my mouth or when I swallow.

Have now got it down to a fine art

Am I missing something?!
Does he have additional needs?

Taking them with milk, milkshake or yoghurt rather than water sometimes helps.

You could try pressing them into a small piece of banana too.

Tell him to put it as far back on his tongue as he can manage then down a pint of water as fast as he can.

My technique if I'm struggling is to clamp my hand over my mouth and pinch my nose

Capsules float - I find the easiest way to take them is capsule in, large mouthful of water, then tip head down and swallow as capsule floats to back of throat.

Failing that, pull the capsule apart and mix content with jam and swallow - BUT if they have enteric coating don't do this as they aren't meant to release contents until small intestine as they irritate stomach.

I struggled with this until well into adulthood; something to do with throat tensing up, probably do to childhood croup= fear of choking. (I also struggle with wearing a neck scarf)

Plenty of water is my best tip.

Get him to practise with tic tacs until he's got the hang of it. Doing that means he doesn't have to worry about getting it wrong and the tablet dissolving in his mouth.

He'll be fine once he's got the hang of it. Stress can really affect your ability to swallow.

DD couldn't swallow tablets for years - she eventually got over the problem by practising with Tic-Tacs
It worked, she's fine now.

My dh used to make such a song and dance about taking any kind of pill, placing it on his outstretched tongue, massive gulp of water and the shaking his head back sharply while he swallowed

Apparently it was so difficult to swallow anything that big. So, I got him to think about what happens in his mouth when he takes a bite of some food, e.g. burger or steak. Clearly the size of the food when swallowed (despite it being chewed), i.e. the ball of it together, is MUCH larger than a capsule, and he manages that many many times each day.

Seemed to help, he doesn't have a problem any more...

Has he additional needs?. If not, tell him to grow up and get on with it.

Am I missing something?!Does he have additional needs?

Really? Yes you are missing something. Lots of people struggle with taking tablets.

Has he additional needs?. If not, tell him to grow up and get on with it.

Some people just have no understanding or tolerance of others whatsoever.

I'm over 40 and I can't 'grow up and get on with it'

Seriously. Have a little bit of consideration for others who are just not so perfect as yourself.

Make h

Get him to eat something that makes him really thirsty like crisps or a sandwich and then take the tablet when he needs a drink.

Drink through a drinking straw. Have a drink first, so the mouth is not dry which can cause the capsule to stick to the tongue, put the capsule on the middle to back of the tongue then take another long swig of liquid through a straw.
Ideally water, or weak squash to mask the taste of necessary. Some antibiotics should not be taken with milk or milky drinks, so check the instructions on the packet.