Do I Have to Take Pills?

Written by Dr. Leland Heller

QUESTION:

Doctor, I'm swallowing Prozac and Tegretol every day. They make me feel better but I hate taking pills and I think I'm gonna choke on them. Just thinking about swallowing pills makes me sick. What else can I do?

DR. HELLER'S ANSWER:

Both Prozac (fluoxetine) and Tegretol (carbamazepine) are available in a liquid. Risperdal is available in a tablet that melts in your mouth. Some patients chew their Haldol (haloperidol) and place it between their teeth and gum. Many medications can be crushed or sprinkled on food such as apple sauce.

While anxiety about taking pills is usually the problem, a swallowing problem needs to be ruled out. I usually recommend getting a swallowing study and/or an endoscopy for people who can't swallow pills to make sure nothing else is wrong that could lead to a serious problem. Your primary care physician or a gastroenterologist can take care of this.

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