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I cannot swallow this pill

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Posted 4/18/2012 11:32 AM (GMT 0)
I got asacol yesterday but this thing is so huge and Hard I cannot swallow it. This is no Joke I'm having Panik attacks. I tried with yogurt but I swallowed the yogurt without the pill. It's asacol 400. this thing gets stuck in my throat I know it! But I need to take something :(
Posted 4/18/2012 11:34 AM (GMT 0)
Get regular Asacol, NOT Asacol HD. The pills are half the size.
Posted 4/18/2012 11:35 AM (GMT 0)
What is HD

What do I do with the other container it cost me 30 bucks

Ok the container says Asacol 400 mg DR TAB WAR it doesn't say HD

How do I swallow it :'(
Posted 4/18/2012 12:00 PM (GMT 0)
I take big pills with milk when I have trouble swallowing them. Put a little milk in your mouth first then pop the pill and then take another big swig of milk.
Posted 4/18/2012 12:01 PM (GMT 0)
My Gastro just called me stupid I will look for another one. I canceled the coloscopy and every appointment after this.

I don't tolerate milk. Does Almond milk work too?

Post Edited (Andrina) : 4/18/2012 6:09:00 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/18/2012 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
Call your Gastro back and tell him he's stupider than stupid. Swear at him if you like LOL

I can't swallow big pills either and i told that to my GI who prescribed me Pentasa Prolonged Release GRANULES (yes granules!!) you get them in sachets and empty them on your tongue and wash them down with water or jucie (either water or an acidic drink but not milk because the coating will break down in alkaline environement).

Ask your (new) GI for them.
Posted 4/18/2012 12:21 PM (GMT 0)
Almond milk I'm sure would be fine and if my Gastro called me stupid we would have a real problem involving the police I'm sure. Time for a new Gastro!
Posted 4/18/2012 12:33 PM (GMT 0)
Indeed. I'll call my GP later he will refer me to someone.

Thank you so much for telling me there are granules available in the US. I almost thought they don't have it here. I will go with this. Thank you so much!
Posted 4/18/2012 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
I used to have a really hard time swallowing pills. Now I swallow 6 of those Asacols at a time, no problem! It gets easier with practice. Unless you have a genetic abnormality, those pills aren't that big and shouldn't get stuck in your throat...you probably unknowingly swallow hunks of food bigger than that every day. It's usually a mind over matter thing. I used to try sticking it in applesauce and swallowing the spoonful of applesauce (don't crush the pill though). Good luck! And you are not stupid.
Posted 4/18/2012 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry Andrina,

I thought you had the Asacol HD - those pills are 800mg and are twice the size of the 400's.
Posted 4/18/2012 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
I would recommend getting Lialda. Those pills go down so easily. And I take all my pills w/ a protein shake which makes them even easier to swallow.
Posted 4/18/2012 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
I had a problem swallowing pills until I was nearly 30.  I found something in the pharmacy called a "pill taker cup".  It was near the pill-cutters, pill boxes, etc.  It is a small cup with a little shelf near the top.  You put in the liquid of your choice then put the pill on the shelf and drink.  I dont know how it works but it does.  Somehow you wont even notice the pill going in your mouth so you wont even realize when you swallow the pill.  I was the worst at trying to swallow pills.  I was afraid to even try tylenol and anything big forget it.  After using the cup for awhile I realized I can do it and now I can swallow huge pills without the cup.

BTW - you are NOT stupid. 

Posted 4/18/2012 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
That "pill taker cup" sounds neat, try that. All it takes is practice. I can swallow handfuls of pills at a time now.
And if memory serves me, 1 Lialda is quite a bit bigger than 1 Asacol 400.
Posted 4/18/2012 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Don't worry!!!! I can't swallow pills either. I swear its a mental thing.

I FOUND A SOLUTION. Take them with food. Chew up a big gulp of something, and then throw the pills in and pretend that they aren't there, and it will work. Believe me, I still could NEVER swallow one of things with just plain liquid. I still dont know why!

Definitely try it... whether its a giant bite of a banana or meat or even a cookie! IT has done wonders for me. When its just liquid and a HUGE freaking pill, my mind and my throat say NO.

Good luck- I hope that works for you too!
Posted 4/19/2012 5:08 AM (GMT 0)
Your doctor is a jerk! No wonder you could not swallow the pill. Colazal capsules are also big. My gastro alerted me to that RIGHT AWAY when 1st prescribing the med, and then went on to explain its benefits compared to the older, smaller caps (Dipentum). So-- I was mentally prepared to deal with their size by the time the pharmacy filled my new Rx. Be sure to fill a whole glass or cup with liquid before getting your med out of the bottle; that way you will have enough to swallow if it takes several attempts before the pill goes down. Otherwise, you could sneak it down together with soft food like mashed potato-- then you'll get used to it after a few successful swallows. / Old Hat (31 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 4/20/2012 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
I used to have trouble when I was younger, but if it's a big pill, I put it as far back on my tongue as I can and just drink! Chug if you have to... it makes you feel better about it getting stuck.
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