Follow
Share

She complained about the bitterness. What can I give her to help with this? I'm afraid she will resist taking the crushed meds in applesauce if I don't do something to offset the bitterness.

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
I Mom ran into the same problem, she didn't like the applesauce. One of Mom's nurses tried chocolate ice cream instead of the applesauce, and it worked. In fact, any time we gave Mom chocolate ice cream without the meds in it, she said it tasted funny :)
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Depends a little on which tastes she is fond of. Many people indeed like chocolate very much. My grandmother did not, but was very happy with strawberry jam. So, we crushed the pills and mixed it with a large spoon of strawberry jam, which we than gave in 3 or 4 times. The taste of strawberry apparently was taking away the bitterness of the pills. I have heard from someone else that her husband was very fond of smoked salmon. So the crushed pills were mixed with chopped up smoked salmon and problems were solved. It's just a matter of finding a taste that they like very very much and take away the bitterness to an acceptable level. It is also a good idea to give a small treat after the medication so that the bitterness does not remain in her mouth afterwards. Wish you luck with your experiments.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Really pulverize the meds. Try the variations of applesauce.They have all kinds of flavors. Even add some stevia..or sugar if allowed.
Good luck!
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

I used to buy my Mom Ensure pudding, choc, vanilla or straw. Unfortunately, I had to buy it online because no local store was selling it. I would crush your pills up and there. Metromedical was the cheapest I could find by the case. Just a thought. Good luck.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Nothing worked except a chocolate milkshake. He can't taste a thing.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

The assisted living facility where I Mom resides puts them in chocolate syrup. Mom eats every drop.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Many meds don't need to be crushed---it is a misconception. If they are given with a soft food like pudding or yogurt, the pills will slide down the esophagus just fine. Only when pills are huge do they need to be crushed---and even then, if they are cut up into small enough pieces, they can be swallowed with soft food. Crushing many medications makes them impossible to swallow because they are bitter.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

When my mom was having problems getting the bigger pills, calcium, vitamins, etc. after talking to the doctor, we stopped those medications.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Yes, many use applesauce my mom likes the pudding/ice cream especially with a dab of whipped cream and slick enough to go down crushed or not a couple at a time, she would just hold them in her mouth so she would get the taste in her mouth as they dissolved. If she not on any restrictions ie diabetic etc....Also make sure you have juice or water close by so they swallow quickly if they tend to pocket-hold it in their mouths- even with the applesauce/pudding etc....be careful of diluting into too big of an amount of anything, efficacy will be diluted of the meds hopefully just into a few spoonfuls.What does she like? Any special things that would make it more a time she looks forward to? Ice cream, mashed potatoes,puddings, cream pie fillings- something that does not to be chewed...whatever makes her happy! Good Luck!.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

What worked best when my husband needed his pills crushed to swallow them was dissolving them in a very small amount of grape soda. That seemed to overpower the taste of the pills best (and the carbonation helped them dissolve) and the small amount let him get it over with quickly. Then he had a chaser of just the pop.

This was for helping him to swallow them. He was willing. He understood what I was doing and experimented with me with several different approaches. This was not to hide them. That is a different issue.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

See All Answers
This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter