How can I learn to swallow pills without gagging?

Question

Many people have difficulty swallowing pills or even find themselves unable to do so. While some medications are available in other forms, many are not. Is it possible to learn how to swallow pills? Are there tricks with using water, head position, etc that make it easier?

Answer 1

First of all, if it is a pill you can cut in half, that tends to help. If you cannot cut it in half, you can ask the pharmacy if they can give you 2 tablets of a smaller strength.

If it is a pill that can be taken with food, I chew a bite of bread and then after a bit of chewing I stick the pill into my mouth and position it so that it sits in the bit of chewed bread. Then I swallow the bread/pill combo and it’s no more difficult than swallowing a piece of bread!

If it is not one that can be taken with food, I take a swig if water and tilt my head backward. I then drop the pill into the back of my throat and try to swallow as forcefully as possible.

I’m a pharmacist and they don’t really teach you this stuff in school, but I can’t swallow pills and these are the tricks I’ve come up with!