# What is your pill swallowing technique? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 25, 2004, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-pill-swallowing-technique/231169 "2004-02-25T20:49:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harriet_the_Spry)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-pill-swallowing-technique/231169/41 "2004-02-28T19:32:50Z")
OK, so it is possible to swallow a brussels sprout! I have a very distinct memory of swallowing a whole brussels sprout as a child. My mom was very clear about “You will not get up from the table until it is gone.” I was a pretty stubborn kid and repelled by the taste. So I remember swallowing it, but I almost thought it had to be some kind of false memory, because today I honestly don’t think I could do it. I think I was too young to seriously consider the possibility of choking to death. My pill swallowing technique also involves looking down to open the esophagus. I have a very hard time swallowing pills when I have an upset stomach, so seek out a lot of chewable medicines. Chewable/ dissolvable Pepto Bismol is very helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-pill-swallowing-technique/231169/42 "2004-02-28T21:07:58Z")
I can only swallow pills with a mouthful of chewed-up food. Chew, chew, put pill in, swallow it all. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-pill-swallowing-technique/231169/43 "2004-02-29T04:41:08Z")
I tilt my head back and make a little pool of water in the back of my mouth. I drop the pills in, then swallow. Never have taste them. Then I take another swig of water soley due to paranoia. ---
**Author:** ![cichlidiot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f9b8f/32.png) [@cichlidiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cichlidiot)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-pill-swallowing-technique/231169/44 "2004-02-29T18:11:22Z")
> [@Harriet the Spry](#): > > OK, so it is possible to swallow a brussels sprout! I have a very distinct memory of swallowing a whole brussels sprout as a child. My mom was very clear about “You will not get up from the table until it is gone.” I was a pretty stubborn kid and repelled by the taste. So I remember swallowing it, but I almost thought it had to be some kind of false memory, because today I honestly don’t think I could do it. I think I was too young to seriously consider the possibility of choking to death. Hee! Yes, it is very possible. I remember getting teary eyed and it feeling horrible, but still a better alternative to actually chewing. Nice to know there was another little girl out there sharing the horror of sprout swallowing. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Girlbysea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Girlbysea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girlbysea)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-pill-swallowing-technique/231169/45 "2004-02-29T20:57:30Z")
I swear just reading this I get nervous. I have to cut my vitamin into pieces each morning, then one big glass of water. Whew… it’s such a relief when it’s over… ---
**Author:** ![BabaBooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@BabaBooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BabaBooey)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-pill-swallowing-technique/231169/46 "2004-02-29T22:04:50Z")
My method: 1. Fill mouth with whiskey. 2. Take pill in sepository fashion. 3. Swallow whiskey. ---
**Author:** ![bittersweet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@bittersweet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bittersweet)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-pill-swallowing-technique/231169/47 "2004-03-01T00:08:11Z")
I really like **BabaBooey** ’s method… But anyway, I can rarely dry-swallow any pill (unless it’s mega-coated), so I’ll pop the pill in my mouth, take a swig of anything other than water (so I can’t taste it), then throw my head back and swallow. What’s odd is that I’ve taken vitamin pills all my life and used to be able to take several smallish-sized pills in one swallow, with a drink. Maybe my throat is shrinking??? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-pill-swallowing-technique/231169/48 "2004-03-01T00:19:27Z")
No technique involved. Just put 1 to several (about 6 max) pills in mouth, stick head into bathroom sink to to drink from running faucet, and swallow. All gone. Then remove head from sink. Wife, who takes lots more vitamins than I do, cannot comprehend swallowing a handful of pills while your head is half inverted in the sink. I don’t see the problem at all. Big, small, smooth, sticky, capsules, gels, aspirin, whatever. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-pill-swallowing-technique/231169/49 "2004-03-01T00:23:21Z")
Depending on the size of the pill and the condition of my throat, I take them with or without water. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-pill-swallowing-technique/231169/50 "2004-03-01T00:52:13Z")
Get a glass of water, pop pills, drink water. If I have to use a water fountain and don’t have a glass, I suck water into my mouth without swallowing, tilt my head back, drop the pills in my mouth, and swallow. I need some water or liquid, or else the pill will stick in my throat. Possibly TMI: If no liquid’s available, I let saliva accumulate in my mouth for a minute, then take the pill. Doesn’t always work. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-pill-swallowing-technique/231169.md?page=2)