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If you struggle to swallow pills—big or small—you’re not alone. Most of us learned how to swallow pills the same way, by tossing our head back with a hefty gulp of water. Despite how popular this technique is, it might not be the most effective way to get that pill down your gullet.

If difficulty swallowing pills has ever caused you to skip your medication, it’s important to find a method that works for you. Here’s what to know about why you’ve probably been swallowing pills wrong your whole life, and what you should do going forward.

Lean forward to swallow pills easier

Tilting your head back to swallow a pill is intuitive; after all, shouldn’t that motion allow gravity to help the pill go down the hatch? However, that reasoning is flawed. Tilting your head back is not only less effective, but even dangerous. As Mount Sinai explains, that movement gives the pill a “direct shot” to your airway. If you’ve ever semi-choked on a pill, that might be the reason.

Instead, pointing your chin towards chest position—aka the “lean forward position”—is largely a safer way to swallow pills. Here’s how to use the “lean forward” method to swallow pills. according to Harvard Health:

  • Put a capsule on your tongue.
  • Take a sip of water but don’t swallow.
  • Tilt your chin toward your chest.
  • Swallow the capsule and water while your head is bent.

More tips to help pills go down smooth

Another tip for anyone who struggles to swallow pills is to relax your muscles and take a sip of cold water beforehand. You can also take your pill by way of an easy-to-swallow food (as we’ve previously recommended). Consider putting a pill in applesauce, pudding, or any other mashed food.

You might be tempted to cut up or grind a pill for easy swallowing, but make sure you ask your pharmacist if that’s okay for your medication. For instance, timed-release or enteric-coated medicines shouldn’t be broken apart.

Note: If you are experiencing any difficulty with swallowing liquids and or foods in addition to the difficulty with pills, you should seek guidance from a medical professional. It may also be possible to get your medicine in another form, such as a powder, cream, or liquid, so don’t hesitate to ask.



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