It's true - some people can swallow entire M&M Peanuts without even flinching or thinking twice about it. But for those of us who struggle to force even the smallest of pills or vitamin capsules down our throats, the struggle can be real!

Everyone's always quick to give you the standard advice - swallow it along with plenty of water, or chew the pill first and then swallow it in powder form - but the reality is that most pills taste disgusting when crushed, and sometimes all the liquid in the world isn't enough to stop us gagging. So without further ado, here are a few helpful tips for people who have trouble swallowing pills.

1. Check the pill bottle to see if it's safe to crush the pill

If it is safe to crush, try using a mortar and pestle or a pill crusher to do so. Then, mix the crushed pill with a small amount of applesauce, yoghurt, or another soft food; and then swallow the mixture. Make sure to drink plenty of water afterwards!

2. Try breaking the pill into smaller pieces and swallowing them one at a time with plenty of liquid

This method takes a bit more patience, but it's definitely doable. Simply break the pill into smaller pieces (we recommend using a pill cutter for this) and then take each piece one at a time with plenty of water or juice.

3. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about other ways to take your medication

There's no shame in admitting that pills just don't agree with you - after all, not everyone can swallow them easily. If you've tried the methods above and still can't seem to get your pills down, speak to your doctor or pharmacist about other options, such as taking a liquid compound of the pill.

What is a compound pharmacy, you ask?

You might not be aware of this, but that there's an entire profession built around compounding formulas to tailor-make medications for patients' specific needs and preferences.

Depending what medication you are taking, a compounding pharmacy should be able to take the essential ingredients from the pills and re-formulate them into a liquid medicine that you can simply drink. Similarly, if you're allergic to certain ingredients in your medication, a compound pharmacist can recreate your medicine to exclude these allergens for you.

If you're looking for a professional compounding pharmacy in East Melbourne, look no further. Say goodbye to those early morning coughing fits as you try to force-feed yourself pills that are too tough to swallow!