Comments on: Teaching children to take tablets

By: Meagan

Meagan — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 07:06:29 +0000

ALWAYS check with the chemist if you have a problem with any medication anyone has been prescribed (even if you don’t have a problem with it, it doesn’t hurt to check). The chemist has better understanding of how the medication actually works, as opposed to what it treats. This includes whether it can be cut, crushed, dissolved, chewed. ALL medication works differently and there are some medications that can only be prescribed in tablet form that must be swallowed whole and will not damage kidneys or the like. My 3 year old swallows tablets with no problems, yet my best friend (in her 40s) still cannot swallow the tiniest tablet! Everyone is different – age does not come into it. Trust your Dr and your chemist, they are the ones who know, and if you don’t trust them find one you do trust!

By: Ruben Dass

Ruben Dass — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 08:04:11 +0000

I am wondering what is the right age to introduce tablets (be it flu, antibiotiucs, etc)when a child is ill?

The other day, the GP prescribed an antibiotic tablet for my 8 yr old son and my wife flipped, claiming that tablets can damage the child’s kidneys and so on.

Please enlighten me.

Thank you.

By: Elsie

Elsie — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:15:57 +0000

hello,

in a spoonful of yogurt. does the trick. x

By: Annie

Annie — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 19:51:49 +0000

I’m 16 and I have just been prescribed tablets I have to take 3 times a day and I have always had problems swallowing even tiny pills…
Anyway, I agree with the lemonade- that really is much better than water for me… Also, some kind of fruit like a pear that most people don’t completely chew up anyway sometimes helps because it just slides down the throat with the lump of fruit. As long as it’s not a plastic coated tablet I don’t think it matters too much if you crush it, but being able to take tablets is pretty useful in case you ever have to take a plastic one.. :)

By: andrea

andrea — Sun, 24 May 2009 13:37:11 +0000

Hi, My kids are still not old enough to be taking tablets, but i remember as a kid i used to practice with tic-tac’s as they were small. I then moved onto taking capsules without much of a problem. They do make chewable panadol for kids too if that helps.

Also it can be dangerous to crush tablets as the protective coating is broken and therfore the drug absorbs into the system quicker than it is designed to.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 22:06:39 +0000

I’m 16 years old and I’ve been perscribed tablets today for my illness, and I’ve tried tablets twice before today and not managed to take them both times. I’ve attempted to take the tablets I have now six times and I can’t do it. I’ve tried mixing with jellies, breads, milk, putting them in the water and drinking it, tipping my head backwards, forwards, trying with the tablet at the tip of my tongue, the back of my throat, and nothing seems to be working. I’m really amazed that you’re trying to get your child of 8 to take a tablet because I’m twice that age and I’m still struggling.
I thought I would share that with you.

By: Virginia

Virginia — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:12:08 +0000

My daughter is now 12yrs old and has a difficult time swallowing tablets. Spoke to my gp and he suggested that I buy vitamin c tablets and get my daughter to chew them up, until mushy, then swallow the rest with water. Over time, the size of the vitamin c tablets get bigger, and hopefully , over time, she will be able to swallow the tablet whole. Will let you know what happens.

By: Kymberlyn

Kymberlyn — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:19:11 +0000

I don’t know if this will work for you, but when I was a kid I has a horrible time taking pills. My mother would cut them up. This never helped because the pill now had a jagged edge and tasted worse. A nurse suggested that my mom put the pill in a spoonful of jelly. The slippery texture made it easier to swallow and masked the taste of the pill.

By: Meg

Meg — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 07:32:18 +0000

Have the same problem here with my 14 yo daughter. Still won’t take tablets so I use a liquid (panamax).

Am thinking a few years down the track – but do they make liquid birth control ;)?

By: Angela

Angela — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 02:55:40 +0000

Leigh,

Keep me posted on your findings, will you please. This is interesting that these three have this in common.

My son now has an 8 month old daughter. If this issue comes up for her, I’d like to be prepared to spare her any frustration if possible.

I hope you’re able to figure out a solution for your little fella soon. Bless his heart.

You can email me at angela at angelabetts dot com.