Take the pill with a full glass of water (about 8 ounces / 250 mL)
Sit upright or stand up
Place the pill on your tongue
Close your mouth and swallow immediately
Keep your head level or slightly forward (not tilted back)
If you feel it stick, try swallowing with extra water or take sips until it goes down
If you have trouble, try the “pop-bottle” method: fill your mouth with water, place the pill on your tongue, then swallow with your lips sealed around the bottle opening
If the pill is safe to take with food, swallow it with a spoonful of soft food (e.g., applesauce or yogurt) without crushing or splitting unless the label says it’s allowed
If the pill can be crushed or opened safely (only if the label or pharmacist confirms), mix with a small amount of soft food and swallow right away
For large pills, ask a pharmacist about a smaller dose, liquid form, or alternative formulation
Contact a pharmacist or clinician if you can’t swallow pills or if you experience choking, coughing, or pain