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Making oral drugs more palatable

Some drugs, especially those in liquid or powder form, have an unpleasant taste. To disguise a drug's unpleasant taste and promote patient compliance, consider these tips:

Mix the drug with fruit juice or other liquid if appropriate. Have the patient sip the mixture through a straw.
Use an oral syringe to instill the drug into the pocket between the patient’s cheek and teeth.
Encourage the patient to suck on ice chips just before taking the drug.
Unless the patient is receiving a small amount of the drug, pour it over ice.
Tell the patient to hold his nose as he swallows the drug.
Chill oily drugs.
Offer a piece of hard candy or chewing gum after the patient swallows the drug, or let the patient gargle or rinse his mouth.

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