Parents of Children with ADHD Support Group

This community is designed as an open forum where the parents and guardians of children with ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) can give and receive support, as well as discuss ideas, techniques, concerns, surprises, and challenges they may face with their children.

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SpiderMom 05/25/2009

Does anyone have any tips for getting a child to swallow pills? I'm desperate for anything and everything to try with my son.. he has to learn to swallow them pretty quickly.. and he's so beyond terrified of choking on the pill that he won't even THINK about swallowing it. I am at a loss! Have any of you overcome this fear or inability with your kids?

deleted_user 05/26/2009

my sister used to wrap her sons pills in fruit roll ups

I've also heard putting them in applesauce

deleted_user 05/27/2009

I used to babysit and little boy who couldn't swallow pills because of cerebral palsy. We used to mix up whipped topping with a little chocolate syrup (makes like a mousse) and then crush the pills and mix them up well into it.

Worked like a charm.

deleted_user 05/28/2009

You have to find out if you can crush the pill. The pharmacist knows. My son is on concerta extended release, and those have to be taken whole. My son took to swallowing very well, so I can't really help you there.

SpiderMom 05/29/2009

Thanks for the suggestions. He wants to try Strattera.. he just said that he has to swallow them as they can\'t be opened like his current med. I hope we can crush them.. it\'s not going well this week at all with trying to swallow them.

deleted_user 06/01/2009

I read your replies so i doubt i have anything new to add except that was very hard for us to overcome as well. we have to put the pill in applesause. Sometimes he\'ll swallow it in yogurt. You might try that if he likes either of those.

SpiderMom 06/02/2009

Thanks. For those of you who tried putting the pills in yogurt or applesauce, did you crush or open them? Or did they swallow them whole like that? I would imagine it being more difficult to swallow a whole pill in food than with a glass of water, or am I wrong?
GRRRR I wish they would just make all these pills easier for kids!!

SpiderMom 06/03/2009

Ladies, you ROCK!!! My son swallowed his very first pill this morning!! I was SO proud!! And BEYOND excited!! :D

I tried putting it in something.. a spoonful of applesauce, like you all suggested. And it went down no problem! He was so excited too! :) I can\'t thank you guys enough for your suggestions! YAY! :)

deleted_user 06/05/2009

At first my daughter took hers in applesauce. She basically used the applesauce like water. You just plop the pill into the middle of the applesauce and don't have the child chew. Sometimes she would get nervous and I had to hide the pill with applesauce.

Ultimately, it was the school nurse that taught her to take her pill with water. I don't know how she did it because I tried everything. Maybe someone can teach your child to take the pill.

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