Adhd Meds - Tween and swallowing pills
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Anonymous
| For those of you with kids who take ADHD meds, what form (liquid, chewable, pill) do they take? My daughter (middle school) was recently diagnosed and our doctor prescribed ritalin. We wanted chewable because she won't swallow pills, but our insurance won't cover it. Any strategies for getting a reluctant child to be open to pills? Other strategies (like crushing the pill and hiding it) that work? |
Anonymous
| We haven’t tackled this yet, but I’ve seen the suggestion of starting with mini M&M’s to practice with. |
Anonymous
|
Start with TicTac‘s or M&Ms. Another strategy is to put the pill in some pudding or applesauce. Your child is a tween,,.she’s going to have to figure out how to swallow pills eventually. I hate to say this but maybe you could dangle a small prize if she swallows a pill. What is her currency right now? Use that to your advantage. I know the strategy is used very successfully on younger kids, but it is worth a try if any of the other methods don’t work first.
FWIW, I have one child on ADHD meds and we used both the pudding and prize methods. No issues now about pills. |
Anonymous
| Check with your doctor before crushing the medication. Some cannot be taken this way. |
Anonymous
10:30 here. I would not crush the pill into food. Put the whole pill in pudding. Trying to teach how to swallow a whole pill you should not crushed it. |
Anonymous
|
The pills are tiny. My seven year old swelled them no issue. However, I didn't learn to swallow pills until my mid 20s and actually went to therapy to learn - in retrospect, I think starting with mini M&Ms is wha we did and maybe tic tacs and she taught me to put it way back on my tongue - then put the tip of my tongue against my front teeth and take a big swig of something carbonated and down it goes. However, they also make a product called glide now - and I hear the pills just slip right down.
ritalin is about 1/3 the size of a round Advil I would say. |
Anonymous
| Our pediatrician had a one sheet hand out with 3 techniques (7 or 8 year old needed antibiotics). I would ask your pediatrician or google for different techniques. |
Anonymous
PP here. ITA but since OP did mention crushing the meds I thought it was important to know that can’t be done for everything. There are some meds that have a coating so they are time released into your system and they can’t be administered crushed. Same with capsules. |
Anonymous
| I was very late to learn to swallow pills myself, and I have a terrible gag reflex. Here's what worked for me, in case it's helpful. Put the pill near the front of the mouth, take a big sip of water, and let the pill float up and back as you swallow. It's like the pill is surfing. You can stay leaning forward or upright; no need to tip your head back. I still take pills this way and it always works. |
Anonymous
| DD puts water in her mouth first, then the pill, then drinks more water. |
Anonymous
| Let her take them with soda until she gets used to the feeling. The carbonation masks a lot. |
Anonymous
| My teen has a strong gag reflex- won’t do pills as he vomits We are on Liquid Dynavel and he has tolerated it quite well. |
Anonymous
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If you get a small dose, the Ritalin pills are tiny. You might ask for the smallest dose and taking more pills at a time to make it easier.
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Anonymous
| DC started at 6.5 and thanks to the advice on this board - a bit of practice with tic tacs and we were able to go with the pills from day 1. Otherwise, talk to pharmacist and read the insert, as usually the recommended crush and swallow medium (for lack of a better word) is specifically applesauce. At least it is for adderall and focalin. |
Anonymous
| Quillichew is a chewable product....their is also a liquid. Maybe ask your doctor to appeal to your insurance company based on the fact your child cannot swallow pills? |