my daughter can't swallow her pills

Tiffani - posted on 04/16/2013

We used to use a little bit of pudding or applesauce to get our son to swallow his pills. It helped him just swallow them and not think about what he was doing. Now he swallows all his pills and doesn't need the pudding or applesauce.

Michelle - posted on 04/14/2013

Stick tongue out, place the pill on the back of the tongue. When your child retracts the tongue, the pill will be in the back of the mouth. Tell him/ her to brush the tongue up and forward as s/he swallows with a drink of soda or water. Tilt head back. The sticking the tongue out first REALLY works for for my son.

Juanita - posted on 04/09/2013

my son is 8 years old and he is on concerta tablets and he can,t swallow them what are some helpful tips to get him to swallow his pill

Tina - posted on 05/11/2012

My son is on Adderal. He's 8 1/2. He just won't take pills period. What I have 2 do is mix in w/ pudding on a spoon.

Val - posted on 05/08/2012

Vyvanse comes in a capsule (but I am not very impressed with the medication). But it may work for your daughter better.
Regarding children with ADHD and whether to medicate or not, I will say my nieghbor has a grand daughter that has been on ADHD medications that is going to college now. I also have a friend that went to graduate school with me that is in her thirties and she has been on ADHD meds her entire life (she has a masters degree and teaches at a privates school. One other thing in reference to medication is that my daughters Nuerologist told me that the medications (even with the side effects-Yikes), actually increases the gray matter in the childs brain. Children with ADHD normally have slightly smaller brains than their conterparts, so medication increases the brain size. Those things made me decide to medicate. But I have found that none of the medications have worked for long with my 7 year old daughter, who was diagnosed and has been on meds since the age of 5. But I have been told the right combination and dosages will eventually come, it just takes some time and many challenges.

Val - posted on 05/08/2012

Vyvanse comes in a capsule (but I am not very impressed with the medication). But it may work for your daughter better.
Regarding children with ADHD and whether to medicate or not, I will say my nieghbor has a grand daughter that has been on ADHD medications that is going to college now. I also have a friend that went to graduate school with me that is in her thirties and she has been on ADHD meds her entire life (she has a masters degree and teaches at a privates school. One other thing in reference to medication is that my daughters Nuerologist told me that the medications (even with the side effects-Yikes), actually increases the gray matter in the childs brain. Children with ADHD normally have slightly smaller brains than their conterparts, so medication increases the brain size. Those things made me decide to medicate. But I have found that none of the medications have worked for long with my 7 year old daughter, who was diagnosed and has been on meds since the age of 5. But I have been told the right combination and dosages will eventually come, it just takes some time and many challenges.

Becki - posted on 04/19/2012

CONCERTA CAPSULES CAN'T BE CRUSHED OR CHEWED!!! I just went through a scare this morning. My daughter was frustrated trying to swallow the pill so she chewed it and swallowed it! I was worried because it is a time release capsule. The doctor told me that she shouldn't do that because it releases the full amount of the stimulant into her system all at once (there are three layers of capsule that dissolve over a period of time thus releasing the medication as needed). by crushing it, I was told, your child may have a spike in blood pressure or heart rate. NOT a good thing. We are having a powder form of Ritalin prescribed so that we can sprinkle it in food instead.

Cherise - posted on 04/29/2010

I really didn't see a change in my son either when he got home, so my doc put him on 5mg of ritalin for afterschool.

Tammy - posted on 04/29/2010

Thanks for everyone's responses, so far the Biphentin seems to be working, she has been focusing better in school. I don't really know if I have noticed much of a change at home, maybe a little but as long as her behavior is better at school that's all I really want is for her not to be so hyper and listen to her teachers which she is getting better at.

Carla - posted on 04/29/2010

So can get me some ideas how to gether to swallow a pill too

Cherise - posted on 04/27/2010

My oldest, 13 is on Vyvanse and at first I would open the pill and sprinkle the med in some applesauce. That worked until he decided to try to swallow it on his own. He didn't do too good for a couple of days, but after awhile he got it and is now swallowing his pill with ease. You can also practice with tic tacs.

Tina - posted on 04/23/2010

mine is on concerta and what she does she takes a drink and then put the pill at the back of her throat by tiliting her head back then swallows it and she is leading a normal life if she doesnt have it she is out of control so i dont forget to make her take it so good luck!

Kyle - posted on 04/20/2010

There are patches. Personally I would rather take a pill, but my son (13) will not and he'd rather wear a patch. It leaves a red mark temporarily, but other than that, it's okay. In a way the patch is more effective because you can leave it on a bit longer if you need it to work longer or take it off earlier if you don't need the medicine as long. With pills, once you take them, they work their course and they're done.

Katrina - posted on 04/20/2010

We use vyvanse wonderful wonderful med!! My 10 year old will not swallow pills at all so we open them pour them into a small amount of water and she drinks it!! Works just the same!!

Kristy - posted on 04/20/2010

Definately check with the doctor. There are some ADHD meds that you can't open or mix. My 12 year old takes Adderall, which can be opened onto applesauce. We explained to her that she has a "race car brain" and that this medicine helps her "put the brakes on". There are some great kids books that help them understand ADHD and how having a different brain can be pretty cool. Also looking at famous people who are open about their ADHD may help (Michael Phelps, the CEO of Jet Blue, Ty Pennington from Extreme Home Makeover, etc.).

Renee - posted on 04/20/2010

adderall is a capsule my 17 yr old takes it and has been taking it since she was 9. She has had a normal life there is nothing wrong with her other than she can't consontrate. Be honest and open with your daughter she is not different she just need help to be calm and to consontrate. It is natural to be confused about medicating your daughter. Ask yourself this question is she better with or without the meds. Talk to her teachers ask to see her class work check with your school and see if there are services to help support her all the way through school. I know this is hard but you are her best avocate in this. Talk to your doctor about other options. Don't let fear control what you do.

Tammy - posted on 04/20/2010

The Biphentin which she is now on is a capsule that I open and sprinkle it in soft food, so far she is doing fine on it.

Angel - posted on 04/19/2010

my son has been taking focalin xr now they changed him to adderall because medicaid doesnt pay for focaline anymore. anyways my son didnt want to swallow it so the dr said it was ok to open then and mix it with some oatmeal or something like or you can put it in a spoon with something to drink if its not a capsul try breaking it in half. my son also takes risperdone and it is a small pill so he swallows that easily. i hope i helped you.

Linda - posted on 04/18/2010

the way we taught our son to swallow was to take it with a little bit of soda...the fizz made it float right on down. Good luck!

Tammy - posted on 04/17/2010

She was on Concerta which could not be crushed or chewed, it had to be swallowed whole as it was time released. She was just diagnosed 3 weeks ago so we are still new with this. She is now taking Biphentin which I sprinkle in yogurt, it has only been a week so still don't know if this is the right med for her, so far there hasn't been any side effects.

Liz - posted on 04/17/2010

you can crush them & put it in yoghurt, jam, etc.
although this is not a conventional way.
plus just trying being straight, opn & honest with your daughter........tell her these meds are to help you with your behaviour & to help you concentrate.
we are always open and honest with our son & he thrives on the knowledge!
either that or go back to the pead & explai the situation-there are many diffferent types of adhd meds-some smaller than others ~& some in capsules etc.
good luck!
liz mum to lewis, age 6yrs-adhd & complex autistic specail needs

Phyllis - posted on 04/14/2010

try putting it under her tongue instead of on top and then giving her a drink.

Donna - posted on 04/13/2010

how old is she? have you tried putting it in applesauce and having them swallow it?