Experience With a Pill-Swallowing Enhancement Aid

Abstract

Barriers to swallowing tablets and capsules can impact adherence to medication regimens. Few tools are currently available to assist adolescent children who have difficulty swallowing tablets and capsules. A convenience sample of adolescent children, identified through selfreport as having difficulty in swallowing tablets or capsules in the past, were provided Pill Glide, a flavored spray promoted to aid swallowing. To emulate medication administration, a tic tac (candy) was placed in the middle of the tongue, and with a drink of water, the participant was instructed to swallow the tic tac. Success or failure to swallow the tic tac was recorded. A total of 11 adolescent children ranging in age from 9 to 17 years reported past difficulty with swallowing medication. Seven of the 11 participants were successful in swallowing the tic-tac with the use of Pill Glide. This initial assessment of Pill Glide spray demonstrates positive findings for improving the ease of swallowing tablets and capsules for adolescents.