Learning to Swallow Pills

These instructions are for Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) patients who need to learn to swallow medicines that come as pills.

Taking medicine can be challenging for children. Taking pills instead of liquid medicine has its benefits. Pills are easier to carry with you and they leave little or no medicine taste in your mouth. However, swallowing pills can be difficult for many children and adults. Below are some tips to help teach your child to swallow pills.

When should children learn to swallow pills?

The age at which children can best learn to swallow a pill varies. They should be at least 4 years old. They should be cooperative and motivated to learn new skills.

Teaching your child to swallow pills:

• If you can, start before your child needs to take medicine so there is no pressure. 

• Practice in a calm, quiet place without distractions.

• Remind your child of other skills they have mastered in the past, like riding a tricycle or tying a shoelace.

• Explain why taking medicine is important to help their body.

• Use words that they can understand. 

• Let your child choose the food or beverage that they take with their medicine.

• If you can, have your child watch you take one of your own pills before it is their turn. 

• Avoid lying to or tricking your child (like hiding pills in food). 

• What is your child’s favorite food? Explain that when they swallow a bite of that food it is larger than their pills. Remind them that they will not choke, and the pill can fit down their throat. 

• It is important for your child to feel relaxed. Here are some of CHOP’s relaxation resources:

  • https://www.chop.edu/health-resources/tools-help-stress-breathwork

  • https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/integrative-health/therapeutic-breathing-video-series

  • https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/integrative-health/therapeutic-breathing-video-serieshttps://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/integrative-health/therapeutic-breathing-video-series

To swallow a pill, your child should:

• Sit up straight with their head centered and straight

• Tilt their head back only a bit. Leaning too far back can make it harder to swallow.

• Take a few sips of water or juice to practice swallowing. Do not use fizzy drinks.

• Put the pill on the back of their tongue and drink again. Sometimes drinking through a straw is helpful.

• You may also try placing a pill in a soft food, like applesauce or pudding.

Ways to Learn to Swallow Pills 

The Candy Method

• Start small with a “sprinkle”. After a few successful tries with the sprinkle, slowly increase the size of the candy (Tic Tacs, M&Ms, Skittles, jellybeans, or mini marshmallows, for example).

The Pop Bottle Method 

• Fill a soft plastic water or soda bottle with water.

• Put the tablet on your tongue.

• Close your lips tightly around the bottle opening.

• Take a drink, keeping contact between the bottle and your lips.

• Use a sucking motion to swallow the water and pill.

• Do not let air get into the bottle.

The Lean-Forward Method 

• Place the pill on your tongue.

• Take a sip of water.

• Tilt your chin down towards your chest.

• Swallow the pill.

The Side-Turn Method 

• Place the pill on your tongue.

• Take a sip of water.

• Turn your head to the side.

• Swallow the pill.

You can dissolve a pill in an oral syringe by following the steps below. Always ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider before you crush or cut any pills. Some pills cannot be cut or crushed. 

• Remove the plunger from the syringe.

• Place the pill in the syringe and place the plunger back on the syringe.

• Pull up some water or juice into the syringe. Some medications may require the fluid to be warm to fully dissolve the pill.

• Place a cap on the syringe.

• Repeatedly push and pull the plunger so that it creates pressure within the syringe. Repeat until pill is fully mixed with liquid.

After Your Child Takes the Pill 

Praise your child when they take their pills without a fuss. Offer a reward or incentive for taking their medicine. Some children enjoy using a sticker chart to work towards a prize.

If your child still struggles with pills, talk to their doctor or pharmacist about other options.

• Is there a liquid form of the medicine? 

• Can your child take multiple smaller pills instead of one big pill?

• Is there a different brand that might work better? 

When you give your child any medicine, make sure to follow the instructions on the label. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist for guidance. 

Reviewed November 2023 by Kerry Spichiger, DNP, CRNP; Melissa A. Lerman, MD, PhD, MSCE, Dori Abel, MD