[scatterbrained04]

My 10 yo son frequently tries to refuse to take his medicine. Mostly, I think it's because he one of his medications is Focalin XR 30mg (it's a big pill). He gags sometimes so he hates it. He will not take it applesauce because he says it's gross. I don't want to change it because it works so well for him. Do you ever struggle with getting your children to take meds? Any advice/tips?

[That What]

Originally Posted by scatterbrained04

My 10 yo son frequently tries to refuse to take his medicine. Mostly, I think it's because he one of his medications is Focalin XR 30mg (it's a big pill). He gags sometimes so he hates it. He will not take it applesauce because he says it's gross. I don't want to change it because it works so well for him. Do you ever struggle with getting your children to take meds? Any advice/tips?

Where is mouth/lips position facing? Logic head titled back water goes straight down. Dry pill requires soaking wet then sinks or goes down. Mouth facing down water held in mouth pushes pill towards throat then swallowing water pushes pill into stomach.

Reason.....Eye sight line thoughts. Eye's up and focused on swallowing pill. Eyes down removes focus on pill and focus mouth filled with water so water does not drip or leak down onto clothing or floor then wiping up water.

[Miswimmy1]

I am on Focalin XR as well. Does your son take the capsule? I thought that you could break the capsule and mix it with applesauce or something.

[alieninshadows]

Not with that type of med but I did have a big struggle with giving my daughter a swallow-able pill for the first time. She was screaming, gagging, crying. I tried mincing it up and putting it in peanut butter or something she may like and it just had it horrible tasting. It was a strong tasting pill. Her dad was there to help and after nearly half an hour she calmed down enough for her dad to coach her on it. Once she did it she was like, "Oh! That's not that bad." Too funny. After that she prefers pills. It makes her feel less babyish and she doesn't have to taste the medicine. She's taken some horse pills and those can be harder to swallow. The best place to put the pill is underneath the tongue beside the molars.
If it gets too complicated for him, then talk with the doctor about seeing if you can get the prescription in smaller pills. I don't know why pharmacists expect people to swallow hockey pucks.

[Miswimmy1]

The dosing instructions say that you can break the capsule. Focalin is fairly tasteless from my experience. I think that bigger issue is breaking it if it's the extended release form, because there is no way to know how much is released at one time or something. But I remember inquiring about it and it was fine with Focalin because it's beads or something inside as opposed to a power. Something like that. Either way, you should talk to your doctor.

[unbreakablej]

WHy not just not let him take the medicine?