If you have a hard time taking pills, you’re not alone. In fact, one in three people struggle to swallow pills^1,2. For those who haven’t mastered how to swallow pills, it can help to know there are easier alternatives out there, including orally disintegrating tablets like Smart Melts. By quickly dissolving on the tongue, these tablets are ideal for people who find pills inconvenient and need an option that’s quick and easy to take while on the go.

But, what are they and how do they work? Let’s take a closer look. 

Why swallowing tablets can be tricky 

There are a number of different reasons people find it difficult to swallow tablets. Some people struggle with physical factors, like the size of the pill or its shape. For others, it’s their individual ability to swallow oral pills and tablets that makes it tricky. This is a particularly common issue among older adults³ and children⁴.

Ultimately, difficulty swallowing pills is a widespread issue that impacts people of all ages, from young children to older adults. 

Why do pills get stuck in my throat so easily?

If you struggle to take pills, tablets or capsules, it could be due to a number of different reasons, including:

• A dry mouth⁵ or a lack of liquid
• A fear of choking can make your throat tense and narrow when you try to swallow pills and tablets⁵
• General swallowing difficulties, also known as dysphagia⁵, can be due to medical causes.
• A combination of a smaller mouth cavity with a higher density of taste receptors on the tongue can lead to high taste sensitivity, which can make it difficult to swallow pills, tablets and capsules²

Some people also just may prefer other alternatives like powders, gummies or melts. 

The different types of supplement formats

Supplements are often available in a range of different forms to suit different preferences and needs, making it easy to get your daily dose of nutrients. Here are some of the common types of supplements to choose from:

• Tablets: As the most common form of dietary supplements, tablets are a type of pill taken orally⁶. That said, some people struggle to swallow tablets, which can make getting their daily dose of nutrients difficult.
• Capsules: Capsules are covered with a smooth coating that often makes them easier to swallow compared to tablets⁶. 
• Effervescents: Effervescent tablets dissolve in water, making them a good alternative for those who can't swallow pills⁷. That said, they do require a few extra steps, like mixing the tablet with water. 
• Gummies: Gummies are quickly becoming a popular form of supplement, especially for those who prefer a chewable option. Although they’re often tastier than tablets, capsules and effervescents, some gummy supplements contain sugar.
• Powders: Powders can easily be mixed into drinks. While these provide some flexibility, they can be less convenient than tablets or capsules⁸.
• Smart Melts: Smart Melts are designed to dissolve on the tongue without water⁹, making them an ideal option if you need dietary supplements on the go. They’re convenient¹⁰, absorb rapidly¹¹ and you don’t have to worry about trying to swallow your supplements. So, if you’re looking to make multivitamins easy to swallow, Smart Melts could be the answer. 

How to take vitamins if you can't swallow pills

There’s no denying that swallowing pills can be challenging. Here are a few tips on how to take tablets:

• The pop-bottle method: Fill a plastic water bottle and place the tablet on your tongue. Close your lips around the bottle opening, take a drink and swallow with a sucking motion. This helps guide the pill down smoothly¹².
  
• The lean forward technique: After placing the pill on your tongue, take a sip of water but don’t swallow right away. Instead, lean your head forward as you swallow. This motion makes the pill move to the back of your throat, reducing the chance of it sticking¹².

Still struggling to get your tablets down? It may help to try an alternative format. The good news is, there’s a range of different formats for those who can't swallow pills.

The benefits of Smart Melts

It can be hard to keep up with your daily supplements, especially if you struggle to take conventional tablets and capsules. In fact, many people suffer from what’s known as ‘pill fatigue,’ which is when you lose motivation to take your supplements because of the burden¹³.

Swisse’s new range of easy to swallow supplements are ideal for people who find it difficult to swallow tablets10. Smart Melts have been specially formulated to dissolve quickly on the tongue8, making them easy to take without water. And because they dissolve fast, they’re typically rapidly absorbed by the body when compared to conventional tablets¹¹.

Do orally disintegrating tablets work?

If you’re used to taking your supplements in tablet or capsule form, you might be wondering whether orally disentegrating tablets even work. Dissolvable vitamins and supplements, like Smart Melts, are formulated with the same high-quality ingredients as traditional dosage forms, meaning they’re able to deliver the intended nutrients and health benefits. 

Not only are orally disintegrating tablets easy and convenient to take, but thanks to the nature of their delivery, they’re often rapidly absorbed by the body. So, if you struggle to swallow traditional tablets and capsules, and want to boost your nutritional support, Swisse’s range of Smart Melts may be a convenient and easy alternative.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use.

We recommend that you consult your primary healthcare professional when considering your supplementary routine, as they can best advise on what’s right for your individual needs.

References:

1. Contributors, W.E. (n.d.). What to Know About Swallowing Pills. [online] WebMD. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-to-know-about-swallowing-pills. 
2. Radhakrishnan C, Sefidani Forough A, Cichero JAY, Smyth HE, Raidhan A, Nissen LM, Steadman KJ. A Difficult Pill to Swallow: An Investigation of the Factors Associated with Medication Swallowing Difficulties. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2021 Jan 11;15:29-40. doi: 10.2147/PPA.S277238. PMID: 33469272; PMCID: PMC7810703.
3. Mc Gillicuddy, A., Crean, A. M., & Sahm, L. J. (2016). Older adults with difficulty swallowing oral medicines: a systematic review of the literature. European journal of clinical pharmacology, 72(2), 141–151. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-015-1979-8
4. VandenBerg, Caryn J., et al. “Hard to Swallow: A Review of Interventions to Improve Swallowing Solid Medication.” Hospital Pediatrics, 6 Apr. 2023, https://doi.org/10.1542/hpeds.2021-006497. Accessed 12 Apr. 2023.
5. NHS. “Problems Swallowing Pills.” Nhs.uk, 19 Oct. 2017, www.nhs.uk/conditions/problems-swallowing-pills/ 
6. Orrange, Sharon. “Capsule vs. Tablet?” GoodRx, GoodRx, 14 May 2013, www.goodrx.com/drugs/medication-basics/capsule-or-tablet.
7. Vanhere, Kajal Gopinath, et al. “A Comprehensive Review on Effervescent Tablets.” Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics, vol. 13, no. 7, 15 July 2023, pp. 141–150, jddtonline.info/index.php/jddt/article/view/6120/5507, https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v13i7.6120. 
8. Choudhary A. Definition, Classification, Advantages and Disadvantages of Powders: Pharmaceutical Guidelines [Internet]. www.pharmaguideline.com. 2024. Available from: https://www.pharmaguideline.com/2021/10/definition-classification-advantages-disadvantages-of-powders.html 
9. Ghourichay MP, Kiaie SH, Nokhodchi A, Javadzadeh Y. Formulation and Quality Control of Orally Disintegrating Tablets (ODTs): Recent Advances and Perspectives. Biomed Res Int. 2021 Dec 24;2021:6618934. doi: 10.1155/2021/6618934. PMID: 34977245; PMCID: PMC8719989. 
10. Navarro V. (2010). Improving medication compliance in patients with depression: Use of orodispersible tablets. Advances in therapy, 27(11), 785–795. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-010-0073-y .
11. Pullen, Richard L. Jr., RN, EdD. Administering an orally disintegrating tablet. Nursing 38(1):p 18, January 2008. | DOI: 10.1097/01.NURSE.0000305898.88922.df 
12. Phan, Ross. “What Can I Do If I Can’t Physically Swallow a Pill?” GoodRx, GoodRx, 2 Dec. 2021, www.goodrx.com/drugs/medication-basics/swallow-pills-tips. 
13. Nutraingredients.com. “Pill Fatigue: Key Hurdles in Alternative Formats.” Nutraingredients.com, 5 May 2023, www.nutraingredients.com/Article/2023/05/05/pill-fatigue-key-hurdles-in-alternative-formats. Accessed 22 Oct. 2024.