DOES YOUR MEDICATION HAVE AN UNPLEASANT TASTE?
- Plug your nose: Before taking the medication, block your nose to reduce the impact of taste, as odors play a significant role in the overall taste experience during swallowing.
- Desensitize your taste buds: Suck on a piece of ice or enjoy some ice cream just before taking your medicine to temporarily numb your taste buds.
- Mint-flavored intervention: Brush your teeth or use mint-flavored mouthwash just before taking your medication, as strong mint flavors can leave a lasting taste in your mouth.
- Post-medication palate cleanse: Immediately eliminate the bad taste by drinking a liquid or eating a cracker right after taking the medication.
For liquid medications:
- Temperature adjustment: Some products taste less potent when cold, so consider refrigerating the medication (check with your pharmacist first).
- Mix with food: Add the medication to a small amount of food like yogurt or stewed fruit, but consult your pharmacist as certain medications shouldn’t be taken with specific foods.
- Syringe technique: Use a syringe to administer liquid medication, placing it at the side of your mouth, about halfway down your tongue.
- Mask with bread or syrup: Place the pill(s) in a bit of bread or dip it in maple syrup or jam to minimize the taste.
- Crush and mix: Crush the pill(s) and add them to a small quantity of food like yogurt or jam after consulting with your pharmacist.
- Direct swallowing: Place the pill(s) on the back of your tongue and swallow whole with water.
For tablet medications:
If these strategies prove ineffective and the medication remains challenging to take, consult your pharmacist, who is always available to assist.