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Related to Helping Children Take Medicine

Children’s Health

Helping children take medicine

The following tips will help make it easier to

give your child medicine.

Tips for children 2 years and younger

Stay calm. This will help your child stay calm
and make it easier to give the medicine.

Liquid medicines are usually the best choice for

giving small doses of medicines to babies and
young children.

If you choose to mix the medicine with milk or

formula, only use a small amount (not a full
bottle) to make sure your child swallows it all
and gets a full dose.

Slowly squirt or pour the medicine into your

child’s mouth, towards their cheek.

Tips for children older than 2 years

Stay calm. This will help your child stay calm
and make it easier to give the medicine.

Let your child feel like they have some control.

Give them choices. For example:

Ask them if they would like to sit or stand, hold the

syringe, or choose what food or drink they want to
take the medicine with.

If they’re old enough, ask them what would make it

easier for them to take the medicine.

Be honest and understanding. Let them know

that you know the medicine doesn’t taste good.
For example, you can say, “I’m sorry it tastes
bad.” See below for tips on how to make
medicines taste better.

If your child won’t take the medicine because of

the taste:

Ask your pharmacist about other forms of medicine

such as chewable tablets (pills).

Children 5 years and older can start learning to

swallow pills (tablets or capsules). To do this, try
getting them to swallow small candies until they are
able to swallow candies the size of their pills.

If your child won’t take their medicine, be

gentle but firm and help them understand why
it’s important. For example, you could say,
“This medicine will help you feel better.”

Let your child know that you’re proud of them

for taking their medicine without too much
trouble. This will create a better experience and
make it easier for you and your child the next
time you have to give them medicine.

Liquid medicine
Try the following when giving liquid medicine to
children:

Measure small doses of medicine you give by mouth

with a measuring syringe from your pharmacist.
Don’t use kitchen spoons to measure. Ask your
pharmacist to show you the best way to measure
your child’s medicine.

If your syringes or measuring devices are broken or

you can’t read the numbers on them, ask your
pharmacist for a new measuring device.

Ask your pharmacist if you can mix the medicine

with a small amount of juice, water, or other liquid to
hide the medicine’s taste. Make sure your child
drinks all the fluid to get the full dose of medicine.

If your child needs to take more than one medicine

at the same time, ask your pharmacist if you can
mix the medicines together.

Pills
When your child is learning to swallow pills, it
may help to put the pill on the back on their
tongue and have your child take a drink right
away. Some children find it helps to use a straw
so they concentrate on swallowing the drink
iinstead of the medicine.

Ask your pharmacist what to do if your child

throws up the medicine less than an hour after
they take it. If they throw up an hour or more
after taking the medicine, you don’t have to
give another dose to make up for the one they
threw up.

If your child has trouble swallowing pills, ask

your pharmacist if the medicine comes in a
liquid form or if the pill can be crushed (tablet)
or opened (capsule) and mixed with a small
amount of food. Don’t crush or open pills
without talking to your pharmacist first.

Tips for mixing pills with food:

Empty out the whole capsule or crush the pills

between 2 spoons. It’s easier to crush a pill if you
add a few drops of water and let it soften for a few
minutes.

Mix the crushed pills or powder from the capsules

with a small amount of food your child likes such as
apple sauce, jam, chocolate spread, or pudding.
Make sure your child eats all the food to get the full
dose.

Helping medicines taste better

If your child won’t take their medicine because
they say it tastes bad, try the following:

Give your child a frozen treat before medicine. It

helps numb their taste buds so the medicines
doesn’t taste as bad.

Give strong-tasting foods your child likes such as

jam, syrup, chocolate, or a strong-tasting cheese (if
they like it) after they take the medicine. Offering
these treats may also make it easier to give your
child their next dose or other medicines in the future.

Check with your pharmacist to see if you can put

your child’s liquid medicine in the fridge. Liquid
medicine that is cold may not taste as strong so
your child may take it more easily.

Check out Helping Medication Taste Better for more

tips and information.

If you still find it hard to give your child

medicines after trying these tips, talk to your
doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. They can help you
make a plan so your child gets the medicines
they need.

Current as of: February 18, 2021

Author: Medication Quality and Safety Team -

Pharmacy Services, Alberta Health Services

This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health

professional. This material is intended for general information only and is
provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were
made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services
does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory,
as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a
particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly
disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims,
actions, demands or suits arising from such use.

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