When childproofing their home, most parents know to keep medications out of their child’s reach. However, many accidental poisonings still occur every year despite parental precautions, and the majority of these emergency room visits are related to medications that a child got into when a parent or caregiver was not looking. Therefore, it is important for every parent to pay attention to these new tips regarding medication safety tips for kids so they can ensure their child is safe from the threat of an accidental poisoning.
Store Medications Out of Sight
For most children, out of sight does mean out of mind. Therefore, one of the best steps parents can take to prevent an accidental poisoning is to store all medications out of their child’s sight. Ideally, this storage space should be in a high cabinet in a room in which children have limited access such as a master bathroom or the kitchen.
Lock it Up
Simply storing medications out of sight may not be enough to deter a curious child. In fact, knowing that a cabinet is forbidden may pique a child’s curiosity. Parents of climbers should especially be aware that a high cabinet may not stop a child from climbing on countertops of pulling out a ladder. Therefore, installing a childproof lock on any cabinets with medication can ensure that little hands will never get a hold of dangerous medications.
Check Purses and Bags
When checking their home to make sure it complies with medication safety tips for kids guidelines, many parents forget to check their purses and bags. However, most adults keep some type of medication in their purse for pain relief or to treat a health condition. Because children love to explore the items in a person’s bag or purse left unattended for even a moment, this can set the stage for an accidental poisoning. When entertaining guests, parents should always provide a safe place for them to store their belongings to avoid children coming across medication that a parent may not even be aware is in their home.
Watch for Overlooked Medications
Many commonly used items are overlooked as medications, yet they can be just as dangerous as a prescription drug if ingested by a child. Therefore, parents should scan their home environment to determine if there are any over-the-counter medications within their child’s reach. Diaper rash creams, eye drops and teething gel are a few of the most common medications that are often viewed as innocuous. However, each one of these should be treated with the same high level of caution as prescription medications.
Be a Vigilant Visitor
When visiting family and friends, parents may need to educate their loved ones regarding medication safety for kids. Often, those who are not accustomed to having children in their home may not have childproofed their medication storage areas. This is especially a concern for children who visit their grandparents because many older adults take prescription medications that may not always have childproof caps. Therefore, parents should ask about any medications that are in the house and keep an eye out for any that may have been left out.
Practice Proper Dosing
Parents can begin teaching young children about medication safety by setting a good example. Always explain to children that they are taking medication and what it is being used to treat. Then, parents should always use the proper dosing procedures for that specific medication. Ideally, the dosing device that is packaged with the medication is the best way to administer medication. Although a medication may state to use a tablespoon, it is important to note that kitchen spoons can vary widely.
Be Careful with Disposal
While most parents are careful to lock up new medications, it is common for them to forget to dispose of medicine properly. Often, they will discard expired or unnecessary medications by simply tossing them in the trash. However, the prospect of finding something new can lead a child to pick up medicine out of the trash can. To prevent this from occurring, parents should always dispose of their medication in a way that will limit their child’s access.
Know the Number for Poison Control
Even with the best of precautions, it is always possible that a child might experience a medication mishap. Therefore, it is essential to have the number for poison control listed in an easy-to-find location in the home such as the kitchen or by the phone. Then, a parent or caregiver can call 1-800-222-1222 for help at the first suspicion that a child may have inadvertently taken medication.
Medication safety tips for kids is an essential component of any childproofing plan. Whether a child is at home or visiting a loved one, it is important for parents and caregivers to keep medications out of their reach. By focusing on keeping medications in a locked and inaccessible location and teaching children about the importance of medication safe, accidental poisonings can be prevented to ensure the health and safety of children.
How to Properly Dispose of Medications
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) give guidelines on the proper disposal of medications. Before, consumers were advised to dispose of medications by flushing them down the toilet. This is no longer recommended. Here are tips on how to properly dispose of medications.
Guidelines for proper disposal of prescription drugs
- Unless otherwise instructed in the package, put prescription drugs in sealed plastic bags and throw them in a trash. If possible, mix the pills with an unattractive substance such as coffee grounds. This will prevent pets and children from consuming the drugs in case they find them.
- Flush liquid medication down the toilet. However, do this only if it says on the label that it’s safe to do so or a pharmacist confirms that it is an acceptable disposal method for the drug. Flushing drugs down the toilet is sometimes encouraged to prevent medications from contaminating water supplies. Flushing is also recommended for drugs that would place kids or pets at serious risk if swallowed.
- Dispose the drugs at hazardous waste depots. This is only recommended for certain drugs. Before disposing call a pharmacist or municipality for more information about the medication.
- Take advantage of drug take-back days in the community. This service is provided in some places. It is aimed at encouraging people to drop off unused prescription drugs to be disposed of safely by trained personnel.
- Before throwing out the container containing the medication, scrape the name and any other identifying information off the label for protection of privacy.
How to Dispose of Old Prescription Drugs
- Gather all the outdated drugs in their containers. Also, collect all medication that will not be used including unused pain medication, antibiotics and over the counter medication.
- Pour rubbing alcohol into the drug containers until full. Once full, the medication will start to dissolve. Remove labels from the bottles or use a black permanent marker to wipe out the personal information on the labels. Place the containers into an air tight bag.
- Throw the bags in the garbage. It is not safe to dispose of medication by flushing it down a commode. Proper disposal of medication is important to avoid water contamination and prevent them getting into the wrong hands.
- Syringes with unused drugs should also be disposed of properly. Contact the local sanitation authorities and find out the program available for disposal of such.
Significance of Proper Drug Disposal
Knowing how to properly dispose of medications is important because it protects people, animals and the environment. Children and animals may find drugs thrown in the trash and consume them.
Concern about water contamination as a result of flushing medication led to the recommendations against flushing of drugs, although the majority of water pollution from drugs comes from people passing drugs out through their bodies. Proper disposal of medicines also deters teenagers and adults from misusing drugs or using drugs that are past their expiry dates.
Considerations
According to the FDA, certain drugs come with instructions on how they should be disposed of. Powerful painkillers can be dangerous to children and pets and may even be abused by some people if not properly disposed of. In such cases, flushing is considered the safest method of disposal. Inhalers used to relieve breathing problems are considered hazardous waste and should be properly disposed of.
Assistance
Drug take-back programs are available in some areas. The FDA encourages individuals to take advantage of such programs. Pharmacists can also assist individuals seeking information on the proper disposal of drugs.
Important Tips
- Never give unused drugs to another person. Drugs may be harmless to one person but harmful on others.
- Ensure children and pets cannot access medication stored in a house.
- Go through the medicine cabinet after every 6 months or so to check for out dated drugs that need disposal.
- Never use expired or out dated drugs. Expired drugs are those whose expiry dates have past while out dated drugs are medications that are no longer prescribed for certain illnesses. A drug can be out dated but not necessarily expired.
- People should never use medication if they do not know what they are or what they are for.
- Consult physicians before using medication.
Is It Legal to Buy Prescription Drugs from Canada?
There’s no question that Americans save a lot of money by ordering their medicines from Canadian pharmacies. In some cases, drugs from Canada cost as little as one-fifth the price found inside America. However, some wonder if this might be too good to be legal. So is it really legal to buy prescription drugs from Canada? The answer isn’t so simple, but the activity is tolerated. Below is more information on the subject.
Tolerance of Non-Controlled Medications
The Prescription Drug Marketing Act of 1987 made it illegal for anyone besides manufacturers to take prescription drugs into the U.S. However, officials have since begun to allow patients to bring prescription drugs into the country as long as they aren’t controlled substances. Personal use is what is tolerated, so officials allow only a three-month supply to be carried in, according to the director of pharmacy affairs at the FDA. The same holds true for online orders, with three-month supplies being tolerated.
More About Online Orders
Some patients still have questions about the legality of ordering prescription drugs online. After all, the law says that ordering drugs from foreign pharmacies is illegal. However, the government tolerates the activity with up to three-month supplies of drugs that aren’t controlled and are intended for personal use only.
This isn’t to say that shipments are never confiscated by U.S. customs officials. One Canadian online pharmacy said that out of the 1,500 prescription medicines it ships to the U.S. every day, only about one percent are confiscated at the border. When this happens, the company just resends the shipment at no extra cost to the customer.
Realism from the FDA
In 2000, Congress tried to reduce the confusion regarding online medicine purchases when it passed the Medicine Equity and Drug Safety Act, which made it legal for American consumers to buy prescription drugs from certain other countries. Unfortunately, the act hasn’t been instituted due to concerns from the Secretary of Health, who says that the health of Americans would be put at risk by the ability to order medicines from other countries.
At the same time, the FDA is realistic on the matter. One official said that although the agency recommends against patients ordering drugs from other countries, consumers are more likely to receive safe medicines from a licensed Canadian pharmacy compared to Mexico or Thailand. This is because in those countries, testing and regulations are lacking compared to the systems set up in the U.S. and Canada, which are similar to each other.
Recommendations for Buying Medicines from Canada
Americans can better ensure that they will be satisfied and safe when ordering prescription drugs from Canada by dealing only with pharmacies that are reputable. It’s best to call and talk with the pharmacist who handles the prescriptions to find out where the pharmacy gets its medicines, get a copy of the facility’s license and confirm how the pharmacy ensures delivery of its shipments.
Is it legal to buy prescription drugs from Canada?
Although it may technically not be, consumers don’t need to worry about ordering personal amounts of drugs that aren’t controlled. For more information, consumers can visit the following links: http://www.fda.gov/ora/import/ora_import_program.html and http://www.fda.gov/ora/compliance_ref/rpm_new2/ch9pers.html, which cover the FDA Import Program and the agency’s regulations for dealing with the subject, respectively. To find affordable medications for the best prices through comparison shopping, consumers should visit eDrugSearch.
How to Get Free Prescription Drugs or Low-Cost Prescription Medication
Prescription medication bills can be crushing, especially without good insurance coverage. However, there is a best kept secret. Wondering How to Get Free Prescription Drugs or Low-Cost Prescription Medication? Believe it or not, it can be done. With a little savvy and research, you can actually prescriptions that cost you little or nothing.
With a strained economy, everyone is watching their budgets today. Whether you have first rate insurance, or no insurance at all, take advantage of the opportunities that are there for the taking when it comes to getting free or low-cost prescription drugs.
The first thing you need to realize is that it may take you some time to have access to savings. However, you have nothing to lose as you apply for programs that will allow you to purchase your prescriptions at a lower price, at times even qualifying for free medication.
The RX Assist Patient Assistance Program Center provides an excellent resource that is free for an online search. You’ll be able to find out what is offered for individuals with a low income. You can find out eligibility requirements, special programs offered for those with numerous prescriptions, and also learn about programs that are provided by the state. Finding out how to get the lowest price or even free medication can be very time-consuming and isn’t always easy. You still owe it to yourself to find out if you qualify. Above all, you need to ensure that you do not jeopardize your health by going without essential medication.
Clinical trials are another way to go when you are searching for medication at little or no cost. Clinicaltrials.gov can assist you in finding out if there is anything available in your area that applies to your condition. You’ll be under the superivision of hospital staff while you participate. Not only will you have access to medication for free, you will also be taking part in important research that could help others.
Don’t forget Medicare. This program is funded by the federal government and administered by each state. If you are over the age of 65, you need to inquire about Medicare. Find out all of the details and how this valuable program can assist you in all of your healthcare needs. From medication to doctor’s visits and hospital stays, you could be eligible for considerable assistance.
Another resourceful way on how to get low-cost prescription drugs is eDrugsearch.com can also help you in finding affordable medication. You’ll be able to freely compare drug prices from various, licensed Canadian pharmacies. Whether you need a generic prescription, or the name brand, this site is a gold mine of free valuable information. You’ll have access to verified online pharmacy and drug ratings and reviews. Combine your findings at eDrugsearch.com with any assistance programs you find to save the most on a tight budget.
How to Save Money on Prescription Medications
With the cost of health care rising, knowing how to save money on prescription medications is important if you want to lower your health care bill. It is even more important if you find yourself without health insurance, as medication costs can take a large chunk out of your income. You want to be able to afford your medications without compromising safety or your standard of care.
There are three principal ways to save. It is possible to save money on brand name drugs, on generic drugs, and to use special programs to get discounts.
Two simple ways to save money on brand name drugs:
- Check prices online at Canadian pharmacies: Buying medications from other countries makes it easy to save as much as 80% of the price of brand name drugs. Though technically illegal, the FDA generally will not intervene if the supply purchased is for less than three months and if it is not a controlled substance. You still need a prescription from your doctor. If you do choose to use an international online pharmacy, a great resource is eDrugSearch.com, the ultimate source of information to help you freely compare drug prices and gain guaranteed safe access to affordable medications from licensed Canadian pharmacies.
- Check U.S. online and wholesale club pharmacies: Stores like Costco and websites like Drugstore.com often offer substantial discounts on brandname drugs.
Tips on how to save money on prescription medications that are generic:
- Check wholesale or big retailers: Large retailers frequently offer a 30-day supply for $4 or a 90-day supply for about $12. Walmart, Kmart, and Target are good examples. In most cases, not all generic drugs are included in these 4$ programs.
Other methods of how to save money on your prescription medications:
- Discount Cards: Obtaining a discount card from the drug company can net you a savings of about 5-15% on brand name drugs and quite a bit more on generic drugs. However, you will usually be able to save more money by shopping online and using eDrugSearch.com to compare drug prices from licensed Canadian pharmacies.
- State Programs: Many states have programs that offer subsidies to their residents to help them gain greater access to medications.
- Medicare Part D: Medicare enrollees can benefit from Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans. These plans resemble health insurance in that they require participants to pay a monthly premium, and they have deductibles. Medicare.gov has details on formularies and pricing.
- Prescription Assistance Programs: If you have a low income or spend a high percentage of your income on prescription medications, you may qualify for a discount from the pharmaceutical manufacturer. Pharmaceutical companies typically highly discount or will offer medication free of charge for eligible persons, so make sure to check with the manufacturer.
Learning to save money on your prescription drugs is easy to do safely and doesn’t take much effort. As always you, should speak with your doctor about purchasing medications internationally. But, using tools such as eDrugSearch.com will make you an informed consumer when you turn to Canadian online pharmacies to get the lowest prices for your medications from safe, licensed, and verified online pharmacies.
Do You Need a Prescription for Online Canadian Pharmacies?
As the cost of prescription medication continues to rise in the United States, individuals and families on a tight budget are looking for other options. Many turn to Canadian pharmacies for their lower price tag and relaxed rules. However, before you can obtain your medication you must ask yourself, “Do you need a prescription for online Canadian pharmacies?”
Do you need a prescription for online Canadian pharmacies?
Individuals wondering do you need a prescription for online Canadian pharmacies are under a common misconception that they can legally order any drug online from Canadian pharmacies without a valid doctor’s prescription. This, however, is not true and any legitimate pharmacy must have a valid prescription before filling the prescription. However, legitimate Canadian pharmacies can legally sell medication that does not require a prescription. For example, Alli is a weight loss drug that can be purchased from an online Canadian pharmacy without a prescription because he is considered an over-the-counter medication.
Performing a search online will yield many online “pharmacies” offering medication without a valid prescription. These so-called “pharmacies” are either nothing more than a scam or are illegally selling medication without a prescription. These fraudulent pharmacies do not follow the strict laws and guidelines set by Canada, and there is no guarantee that the drugs you are purchasing are the ones you actually ordered.
Laws and Online Pharmacies
Purchasing prescription medication from a foreign country is not illegal in the United States of America and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will not intercept packages containing prescription medication from Canada as long as the medication meets the following three criteria:
- Not a controlled substance
- For personal use only
- 90-day supply or less
However, it is illegal to purchase prescriptions that are not approved by the FDA even if they are approved by Health Canada.
Keep in mind that U.S. Customs randomly screens shipments coming into the U.S. to prevent bogus medications or drugs containing unapproved or dangerous ingredients from harming individuals. The FDA may make an exception in certain instances. For example, if the medication is used to treat a serious medical condition and said treatment isn’t available in the U.S. or the pharmacy prescribing the medication doesn’t produce the medication for U.S. consumers than the FDA may allow an exception.
Considerations
No matter where you decide to purchase your medication, always thoroughly research the online pharmacy before ordering. Furthermore, speak to the pharmacist at the online pharmacy to ensure you are receiving the exact medication that your doctor indicated on the prescription. When asking yourself “do you need a prescription for online Canadian pharmacies”, keep in mind that dealing with a pharmacy that doesn’t follow Canadian law you can be held accountable for obtaining the medications. Penalties can include fines and jail time.
Thankfully, eDrugSearch.com is your source for obtaining affordable medications legally and safely from U.S. and Canadian pharmacies. The resources and tools available at eDrugSearch.com helps consumers make informed choices when ordering prescription medications online.
The Average Cost of Prescription Drugs Without Insurance
Medications are often cheap for people with insurance, but the average cost of prescription drugs without insurance can be expensive. Fortunately, it’s still possible to save on the cost of medicine in this situation. For example, assistance plans are available through certain pharmaceutical companies to cover part of the price of their prescription drugs. In addition, some retailers offer savings programs that let users buy generic drugs at discount prices far below the cost of name-brand versions.
Standard Pill Costs
Unfortunately, it’s difficult for consumers to calculate costs of prescription drugs for budget purposes. Because drugs vary in strength and prescriptions come in different sizes, prices vary considerably. Because generic drugs aren’t available at all pharmacies, patients can’t always expect to find the cheapest versions of medicines they need. Lipitor is one example of this. For the 10 mg version of the drug, U.S. consumers can expect to pay anywhere from $0.43 to $1.99 for a single pill. By comparison, the 80 mg pill of the same medication costs between $0.72 and $3.36 for a pill, which makes it considerably cheaper when patients have the option to purchase 60 or 90 days worth of the drug.
Prohibitive Pricing
The average cost of prescription drugs without insurance is too high for many patients. Lyrica is one example with its average price of $3 per pill. Meanwhile, the acid reflux drug Nexium can cost anywhere from $0.61 up to $3.64 for the 40 mg pills. Consumers can expect to see significantly higher prices for name-brand versions of drugs. In cases of inhaled or injected medications, prices are often even higher. Humira, for instance, can cost as much as $1,890 for just two syringes without insurance to cover it.
Big-Box Retailers: Target and Walmart
Patients can find literally hundreds of generic drugs for as little as $4 per month at these stores, with 90-day supplies going for just $10. Unfortunately, these prices cover only a limited selection of drugs, making the average cost of prescription drugs without insurance too high for many consumers. For example, new drugs without generic versions aren’t sold at these low prices. However, this discount pricing often does cover drugs used for common health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. Both Walmart and Target offer similar pricing on these medications. Patients can usually find these drugs for low prices by shopping around.
How Patients Can Save Money
The average cost of prescription drugs without insurance can be high, but patients can save quite a bit of money if they know how. Opting for the generic brand of a drug, if available, is a sure way to save money every time. In some cases, drug manufacturers list discount plans, coupons and other forms of assistance on their websites. Physicians are also occasionally valuable sources of both samples and information about finding discount drugs and free trials. However, eDrugSearch.com is definitely the best way to compare prices between different sources and ultimately get safe access to affordable medications. The average consumer who uses eDrugSearch.com to compare their prices from licensed online pharmacies will save 72% off standard U.S. retail prices.
How to Compare Drug Prices Online
With the high price for prescription drugs, finding affordable medication is usually difficult. This is often the case even if you have drug coverage with your health insurance plan. One of the ways to save money on your prescription drugs is to do price comparison shopping online. This may be done easily and quickly by comparing prescription drug prices online. If you know how to compare drug prices online from several pharmacies, you are better able to save anything from 40-85% off your drug prices. A safe, reliable and cost-effective website to help you compare drug prices online is eDrugSearch.com.
Guidelines for Using Internet Search Sites for Drug Prices
If you are shopping for inexpensive medications and you want to compare prices, a good method is doing online searches. Some helpful tips for using this technique are as follows:
• Check to see if a generic alternative of the drug is available,
• Verify that the website is legal and approved by your local or federal government,
• Check on safety and reliability records of the online pharmacy,
• Take note of reviews by users and accredited organizations,
• Remember to include shipping costs, which may increase your order price.
Why You Should Use eDrugSearch.com
For the uninsured and underinsured, online drug pharmacies offer good choices in finding low-cost medications to help you save money on prescription drugs. By using eDrugSearch.com, you may gain many benefits, including:
- Search engine, which is free and convenient with real-time price searches,
- A comprehensive database with over 100,000 listed medications,
- The use of licensed and accredited international pharmacies,
- Offer drug discounts and prices for brand as well as generic alternatives,
- Member reviews and ratings of pharmacies and medications.
How to Compare Drug Prices Online
When using the eDrugSearch.com website, you can expect an easy and convenient drug price cost-comparison search tool. This is helpful in finding safe low cost prescription drugs. Here are the three easy and convenient steps on how to compare drug prices online by using eDrugSearch.com.
Step#1: Type the drug name in the search box or search for the drug using the A-Z links.
Step #2: Compare the drug prices from the approved international pharmacies.
Step #3: Select the best price and save money.
Useful Resources When Comparing Drug Prices Online
The protection of customers is important and at eDrugSearch.com we provide you with confidence as you shop and compare drug prices online. You may find a “Description” tab, which provides you with detailed information on the prescribed drug you are currently search for. This may help you to find out more about the medication, which you are taking.
In addition, you may access drug information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (/pages/fda-guidelines/). The agency outlines rules and guidelines on purchasing drugs from overseas for personal use. To ensure that the online pharmacies are safe, reliable as well as meet the licensing standards, the companies go through strict approval processing (/pages/online-pharmacy-regulations/). This includes being endorsed by other third party organizations such as the Better Business Bureau Online.
Discovering how to compare drug prices online is an important investment for your health care needs. By doing internet price-comparison searches you may save up to 85% off the cost of your prescription medications. For a free internet search tool on how to compare drug prices online, visit eDrugSearch.com.
Pros and Cons of Buying Prescription Drugs from Canada
What are the pros and cons of buying prescription drugs from Canada?
Price
The biggest advantage to purchasing prescription drugs from Canada is the price. Most pharmaceuticals are substantially lower in price, creating savings of up to 80% lower than the American price. Canada governs prescription drug prices so that ensures that Canadian drugs are among the cheapest available. Why pay twice as much for the same product?
Customer Service
Because it is Canada, you can be assured you will still receive awesome customer service from our north-of-the-border friends. Just like in the United States, every legitimate pharmacy in Canada is going to require a dated and signed prescription from the prescribing physician. The pharmacy is also going to require an application that includes basic patient information, as well as medical history, current medication list, and any known allergies. This way the pharmacist is aware of everything he needs to know to ensure against possible drug interactions, or potential drug reactions.
Online Pharmacies
Online Canadian pharmacies are extremely convenient for the consumer to use. Purchasing can be done anytime, day or night. It is much easier than having to go out to the pharmacy and spend time waiting for the prescription to be filled. For people living in remote areas, or for those who have mobility issues and have a difficult time getting around, or even just people who don’t feel safe leaving the house in winter and risking a fall, online pharmacies offer a significant advantage. You can expect delivery of your medications, right to your home or office, in approximately two weeks. It couldn’t be easier or more convenient.
Peace of Mind
Of the pros and cons of buying prescription drugs from Canada, a big “pro” is the fact that Canadian drugs are just as safe as American drugs. The rules and regulations that govern the manufacture of pharmaceuticals are just as strict in Canada as they are in the United States. Canadian pharmacies and factories undergo the same stringent government inspections to make certain they are operating in full compliance with the law. Canada is not operating as a third-world country; Canadian pharmaceuticals can be trusted to have the same high quality found in the United States.
Health Aids
Once the customer/pharmacist relationship is established, and the important business of medically-necessary prescriptions are taken care of, explore all of the products they sell, it may be beneficial to buy other merchandise as well. Ask about any specials they have.
Shipping
About the only “con” in the pros and cons of buying prescription drugs from Canada debate is that very rarely the Canadian Border Patrol will stop everything going out of the country, and prescriptions can be delayed. This is easily avoided by making sure preparations are taken and refills are ordered as soon as a delivery is made.
The pros and cons of buying prescription drugs from Canada factor heavily on the pro side.
Helpful Ways of How to Take Pills If You Can’t Swallow Them
A lot of us have to take pills from time to time. For some, swallowing pills are easy, but many people have a tough time. No matter your age, if you have a hard time doing this, here are some helpful ways of how to take pills if you can’t swallow them.
Crushing Pills
- Before crushing any pills, make sure to check with a pharmacist if it’s okay to do so. It’s usually fine to do this with most pills, but it’s very important to know if it’s safe first.
- Purchase a pill crusher. These were designed as a way of how to take to pills if you can’t swallow them. They can be found in most pharmacies and drug stores. They reduce pills to a fine powder, making them much easier to take. If you don’t have a pill crusher, you can crush pills yourself with something flat, like the back of a large spoon.
- Once the pills have been crushed, try mixing the powder into a small amount of liquid. Once mixed, simply drink it and try to do so quickly in one gulp so you minimize how long you have to taste it. It’s a good idea to have something on hand (like a piece of chocolate) when you’re done so you can get the crushed pill flavor out of your mouth.
Cutting Pills
- Cutting pills are another way of how to take pills if you can’t swallow them. Like crushing pills, first check if it is safe to do this. Also, this will only work with solid pills, it won’t work with gel capsules and powder filled capsules.
- All you need is a knife and a plate. A knife with a thin serrated blade works best, just be careful while using it. Place the pill on a flat plate and slowly cut the pill into as many small pieces as you want. These small pieces will be much easier to swallow and is a quick way of how to take pills if you can’t swallow them.
- Once the pill has been cut into small pieces, place once piece in your mouth along with some water. Tilt your head back and position the piece to the back of your mouth. Then quickly swallow. If it doesn’t go down the first time, just keep gulping water until it does. Repeat this with every piece, one by one. Again, have something on hand to get the pill flavor out of your mouth.
Concealing Pills
- Concealing pills are also a way of how to take pills if you can’t swallow them. With this method, you won’t be left with a pill taste in your mouth after you’re done. The important thing to do first is to select a food that you know you can easily swallow. Some people like to use bread or something with a soft and slippery consistency like a gelatin dessert cube.
- Once you’ve chosen a food, cut a small piece of it that’s just slightly bigger than your pill. Then take that piece and cut it in half. Place the pill inside the two pieces and put the two halves back together. Then simply put it into your mouth and swallow. This way, it’s more like eating food you enjoy rather than the chore of swallowing pills.
