Birth Control Forum - Anyone Else Having Trouble Swallowing Pills?

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Q: Anyone Else Having Trouble Swallowing Pills?

asked by: Star2007 on March 26th, 2007

New User

I've had always trouble taking pills so I would always get liquid medicine. Before I got the BC pill, I was worried I wouldn't be able to swallow the pills, but when I saw them, I wasn't worried cause I saw that they were tiny. I figured I wouldn't have a problem swallowing them. Well I was wrong lol. I've been on BC for about 2 months now and it still takes about 5-10 minutes to swallow them. Sometimes it takes less time, sometimes it takes more time. I put the pill in my mouth at 9:00 each night and it takes a few minutes for me to swallow it. I eventually swallow it so it's good, but I have to let the pill melt a little in my mouth. That should be okay right??

Anyone have any tips?? Thanks.

Replies(20)

Tylanas

replied on March 26th, 2007

Especially eHealthy

Re: Anyone Else Having Trouble Swallowing Pills?

Star2007 wrote:

It is bad to let it melt in your mouth; you are not getting all of the hormones in the proper way.

Remember to take the pill with a liquid; I don't know if you're dry-swallowing but I know I totally can't take pills like that, no matter how small they are!

I always seem like I can "feel" the pill in my throat, and so, I drink a lot of liquid when I take it, and then I eat something so I know for sure it is absolutely pushed down. Otherwise, it feels like it is stuck.

It is fine to take your pill with food; in fact, they advise you do so if you get an upset stomach after taking the pill, which can happen especially if you take them at night.

I don't place the pill at the back of my tongue, I can't do that mentally XD I place it about mid tongue, and then take a ew big swigs of liquid. Normally, I still feel like it's there, so then I eat a small meal (pop tarts, cereal, some macaroni, whatever). Then everything is good.

Star2007

replied on March 26th, 2007

New User

I don't see how it can be bad to let it melt in your mouth..It's not like it completely dissolves.

Yes, I do take it with a drink but it's still hard. It just won't go down right away.

Tylanas

replied on March 26th, 2007

Especially eHealthy

Star2007 wrote:

I don't see how it can be bad to let it melt in your mouth..It's not like it completely dissolves.

Yes, I do take it with a drink but it's still hard. It just won't go down right away.

That is why you must eat food with it. Just a drink does not work for me, either.

It is bad because the horomones in the pill must be absorbed by your stomach so that they go directly into your blood in the specific concentrations needed. The pill is so small already that lessening and changing the dosage and absorption rates that are supposed to occour can prevent it from working properly and can incrase your chances of becoming pregnant.

Please, just eat something light like some crakcers or a sandwich or whatever you like, after taking the pill.

Star2007

replied on March 26th, 2007

New User

I do eat most of the time after I take the pill

Carifairy

replied on March 26th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

There is a dissolvable BC pill out now, it tastes like mint.

ASK your doctor about it =)

There is also a vaginal BC ring called Nuva ring, and a Patch.

Star2007

replied on March 26th, 2007

New User

I am not gonna do the ring or shot.

I heard about the chewable pill, but the mint one sounds good lol. Is it more expensive??

mc4ever02

replied on March 26th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

Honestly, if you can not take your pills properly you may want to consider another method of birth control. Unless an unplanned pregnancy wouldn't be terrible. I requested the dissolvable pill from my doctor. I cant take pills with out a drink and sometimes I would get stuck out of the house when it was time to take it. My insurance refused to cover it and it was like $60ish. I only had it filled the one month then went back. I suggest calling your insurance first to see if they will cover it. If they do then go for it.

Star2007

replied on March 26th, 2007

New User

Ok, but I DO take it with a drink. ive heard that it doesnt matter if the pill melts a little in your mouth. any pills.

Tylanas

replied on March 26th, 2007

Especially eHealthy

Star2007 wrote:

Ok, but I DO take it with a drink. ive heard that it doesnt matter if the pill melts a little in your mouth. any pills.

In fact, many pills, not just birth control, have warnings on them not to split them or to let them dissolve, because for many medicines, the pill is designed to dissolve at a specific speed so it is absorbed in the right way.

mc4ever02

replied on March 26th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

Eiri wrote:

Star2007 wrote:

Ok, but I DO take it with a drink. ive heard that it doesnt matter if the pill melts a little in your mouth. any pills.

Yep! It should say on the leaflet that comes with your birth control to not crush or chew. You should never let any medicine dissolve in your mouth that does not have directions to do so. Many medicines will burn your mouth if you try to do this. I accidentally bit into a tylenol extra strength once. My mouth had soars on the inside for a week.

Star2007

replied on March 26th, 2007

New User

well my mouth has been fine and on my instructions, it doesnt say anything about that. Tonight it only took about 2 minutes to swallow the pill.

mc4ever02

replied on March 26th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

Hopefully you are getting use to it. It will get easier with time.

Star2007

replied on March 26th, 2007

New User

But I should be fully protected right?? I am trying to have sex, and my BF wears a condom

mc4ever02

replied on March 26th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

If you are taking your pill as directed and your bf is wearing a condom then you have nothing to worry about. Have fun Wink

terminalkindness

replied on March 29th, 2007

New User

Have you tried putting your pill in cool whip and having it that way? I have a friend who cannot swallow pills and that how she does it, just an idea.

forever16

replied on March 30th, 2007

Experienced User

The pill is so small that sometimes I don't even realize that I've swallowed the pill.

I suggest that you just take a big gulp of water and swallow...

Tylanas

replied on March 30th, 2007

Especially eHealthy

Star2007 wrote:

But I should be fully protected right?? I am trying to have sex, and my BF wears a condom

If you don't let it dissolve (even only slightly) then you'll be fine.

Star2007

replied on March 31st, 2007

New User

I really don't see if it only dissolves a little bit, it won't work. I got my period when I was supposed to(3 days on the spacer pills) and my period was a little lighter.

But for the past 3 days, it has been easier to swallow. Only took me 10 seconds to swallow, yay.

Tylanas

replied on April 1st, 2007

Especially eHealthy

I just know that personally, the only way for me to take pills that aren't coated or in capsules - like the bcp - I have to take with food. Otherwise, I can still feel it and you can end up choking or inhaling the pill if it doesn't go down right, so it's important to get it down. So I eat something.

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