OT - Children taking pills

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-29-2003
OT - Children taking pills
7
Mon, 10-18-2004 - 11:37am
I put my son on Strattera this weekend and he is having a hard time swallowing the pill. Does anyone have suggestions on how to get him to take it. As far as I know we can't crush it, it's a capsule. I went to the ADD/ADHD board and asked the same question but that board seems to be slow.

Thanks Lori

Lori
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-12-2003
Mon, 10-18-2004 - 11:58am
Lori,

My son takes Strattera too, has been for a little over a year now. He is 12. We practiced swallowing pills on M&Ms. He got it right away. See if your son would like to try that. Basically, I told him to put it as far as he can on the back of his tongue (without gagging) and take a sip of water to swallow (not too big of a sip, so the pill doesn't start floating around in all that water).

Good luck, and feel free to ask questions. We have been very happy with Strattera, he is doing much better at school and with behavior in general.

Galina

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2003
Mon, 10-18-2004 - 12:20pm
I don't know anything about Statterra, but maybe you could ask the doctor for a smaller dose. If there is a smaller dose, maybe he could take two smaller pills instead of one large one. Maybe they make tablets?

I've had to avoid certain meds. for my son because he won't drink the syrups and he can't swallow capsules. If it's not a small tablet, he can't take it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-29-2003
Mon, 10-18-2004 - 12:20pm
Galina,

Thank you for the suggestion, I did hear of that one and I think I will try it tonight. I also heard that he should not put his head back but lean forward to open his throat.

I have been a nervous reck deciding to put him on these meds but I know in my heart he NEEDS something. Thank you for letting me know how happy you are!

Lori

Lori
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 10-18-2004 - 12:32pm
Hi there. My son has ADD is on Adderrall. He had no problems swallowing the pills. He's quite a brave kid, and doesn't even get scared with shots. My daughters, however, were and are quite different. They first started practicing with Skittles or MM's. Have him practive with those during the day and see how he does. He will get used to eventually.

Hugs, Marilyn

CL-Entrepreneurial Women

Business Impressions, LLC

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-29-2003
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 9:39am
Thanks for your help everyone...

I tried the Mini M&M's for him to practice with last night and this morning and I think he has it...now, I have to get him OFF the M&M's..lol.. I am just happy he could swallow it this morning with only 2 tries.

Lori

Lori
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-12-2003
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 9:48am
Lori,

Glad the M&M trick helped.



Another point: I don't know what your doctor recommended, ours suggested taking the pill at night since the most common side effect is drowsiness. That way he sleeps off the first hours, but the pill still works the rest of the day since it's a 24-hour doze.

Galina

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-29-2003
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 9:59am
Hi there,

You know last night, he called it a tired pill! I am going to wait for a full week to see how he is and switch him then if we need to. Would you mind sharing your email address so we can chat? Mine is Lori9693@hotmail.com.

Thank you!

Lori

Lori