Finding It Hard To Swallow Pills? Try Smart Melts Instead

If you have a hard time taking pills, you’re not alone. In fact, one in three people struggle to swallow pills^1,2. If you haven’t yet mastered how to swallow pills, it can help to know there are easier ways out there, including orally disintegrating tablets like Smart Melts. By quickly dissolving on your tongue, these tablets are ideal if you 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 could be a few reasons why you find it difficult to swallow tablets. It may be a physical issue, like the size or shape of the pill, needing more practice with the process, or other physical factors that make it tricky to swallow. It’s a particularly common issue among older adults³ and children⁴. 

Why do pills get stuck in my throat so easily?

If you struggle to take pills, tablets or capsules, it could be for a range of 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
• If you have a smaller mouth cavity with more taste receptors on your tongue, it can make you extra sensitive to taste. This in turn can make it harder to swallow pills, tablets and capsules²

Some people may also simply prefer other options like powders, gummies or melts. There’s no shame in finding the format that works for your own needs.

The different types of supplement formats

The good news is, there are a range of supplement formats to suit different preferences and needs, making it easier to get your daily dose of nutrients. Some of the most common types of supplements to choose from are:

• Tablets: As the most common form of dietary supplements, tablets are a type of pill taken orally⁶. That said, if you struggle swallowing tablets, it can make getting your daily dose of nutrients a little 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 option if you 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 if you prefer a chewable option. Although they’re often tastier than tablets, capsules and effervescents, some gummy supplements contain sugar. So when you’re choosing supplement gummies and need to be mindful of sugar intake, be sure to check the product label.
• 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 more easily:

• 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 another option, such as gummies or dissolvable tablets. The good news is, there are a range of different formats to try 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 'normal’ 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 issues you face every time you need to take tablets¹³. It’s hard to do something you don’t really enjoy, right?

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, the body typically absorbs them more rapidly than 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 disintegrating 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. 

Orally disintegrating tablets aren’t just easy and convenient to take, but thanks to the nature of their delivery, they’re often absorbed faster 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 simple and effective 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:

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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.
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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.