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Name: krazmom
[ Original Post ]
Briefly, I have an 11 yr old daughter who has been taking Adderall capsules for about 5 years. All of a sudden about a week ago, she refuses to take her meds. She says she can't swallow them. I dont know if she can't or won't....with Adderall XR (time release) capsules, you can not crush or break the pills. I'm at my wits end, I've offered her rewards if she does, punishments if she doesn't. Nothing works!! I'm simply frustrated beyond hope as to what to do.
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Name: tylersmom06 | Date: Sep 17th, 2006 8:38 AM
krazmom, this is what I found on the pediactric advisor website!

http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/
pa/pa_swallmed_hhg.htm

Overcomin
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Difficulties with Pills or Capsules

Some children have difficulty swallowing pills and capsules.

* The easiest approach is to convert the medicine to a liquid form. Empty out the capsules or crush the pills. You can do this with any pills except slow-release or enteric-coated pills. (Check with your physician if you are uncertain what you can do.)
* Slow-release capsules can be emptied as long as the contents are swallowed without chewing. Since capsules usually contain medicines with a bitter taste, the contents need to be mixed with a sweet food.
* Pills are usually made as a convenient alternative to the liquid form, and they may not taste bad. Pills can be crushed between two spoons. Crushing is made easier by first moistening the pill with a few drops of water and letting it soften for 15 minutes.
* Place the pill or capsule far back on the tongue and have your child quickly drink water or Kool-Aid through a straw. If your child concentrates on swallowing (even gulping) the liquid, the pill will follow downstream without a hitch.
* If your child is over age 7 or 8 and unable to swallow pills, he should practice this skill when he's not sick or cranky. (Some children can't swallow pills until age 10, however.) Start with small pieces of candy or ice and progress to M&M's. Try to use substances that will melt quickly if they get stuck. If necessary, coat them with butter first. Use the liquid and straw technique. Once candy pellets are mastered, pills will usually be manageable. For extra confidence, split the pill into halves or quarters. 

Name: tylersmom06 | Date: Sep 17th, 2006 8:44 AM
I got this info about adderall too! Maybe that can help since you can open the capsules up!

• Do not crush or chew the extended-release form of Adderall (Adderall XR). If swallowing the capsules is difficult, a capsule can be opened and the entire contents sprinkled on a small amount of applesauce. The mixture should be consumed immediately, and not saved for later use. The mixture should be swallowed whole, without chewing the sprinkled beads. The dose of a single capsule should not be divided.

Hope it all works out! 

Name: teresa | Date: Sep 18th, 2006 12:11 PM
If your daughter has been swallowing the pills for five years, I would just say this is her was of being in control and it's not that she can't swallow the pill, she just doesn't want to. I had to bribe my daughter by agreeing to get her ears pierced if she swallowed the pills everyday for a week. Keep in mind that this is something she had wanted for a really long time. The difference between my daughter and yours is she had never had to swallow a pill before. After two weeks of pulling out my hair trying to get this pill down her, I sent her to my neighbor to take her pill everyday for a week. You might want to try that, as long as it's not mom they tend to cooperate better. Good Luck! 

Name: susanrenay | Date: Sep 18th, 2006 10:56 PM
hi,
you can open up the capsules and sprinkle the medicine on chocolate pudding, apple sauce, ice cream or anything else that doesn't need to be chewed and then have your daughter swallow it. as long as the little balls aren't crushed or chewed it's fine. hope this helps! 

Name: krazmom | Date: Sep 19th, 2006 1:35 AM
Thanks you guys! (Thanks tylersmom06 for the link) Opening the capsule on pudding or applesauce is how she started, however because it was the XR I guess I was confused about whether you could do that with those particular pills. She's taken it fine for 2 mornings. I'm glad I found this website, now I know there are other "crazy" mom's out there going thru the same things I am. Thanks you guys! 

Name: tylersmom06 | Date: Sep 20th, 2006 5:09 AM
You are very welcome krazmom, my brother had ADHD and it was rough on us all and I am afraid my son although he is only 2 will develop it as well I guess only time will tell! 


Name: tylersmom06 | Date: Sep 20th, 2006 5:11 AM
Oh yeah from what I saw on the adderall site you can open the capsules she just can not chew it because of the XR. good luck I hope something works! Try not to get stressed out! 

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