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.

    • For tablet medications:

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. Direct swallowing: Place the pill(s) on the back of your tongue and swallow whole with water.

    If these strategies prove ineffective and the medication remains challenging to take, consult your pharmacist, who is always available to assist.