Why do medicines taste so bad?
Ever wondered why medicines taste so unpleasant? According to the American Chemical Society, it’s because most of the chemicals in medications are derived from plants and inherently bitter.
But there’s more to it. Medications are designed to have as few additives as possible to avoid interfering with the active ingredients. Adding tasty flavorings is not a priority and could potentially cause more harm than good.
Interestingly, the bitter taste of medicines may have evolved as a natural deterrent against ingesting toxic substances. Since drugs can be toxic in high quantities, it’s actually beneficial that many of us find the taste of pills repellent.
However, not all medicinal pills taste bad. Take Ibuprofen (aka Advil), for example. It can actually taste sweet because it’s candy-coated with a layer of sugar. This coating helps prevent the drug from breaking down until it reaches the intestines, as it can irritate the stomach.
Making pills taste better
The unpleasant taste of pills can be a headache for both doctors and patients. In fact, over 90 percent of pediatricians reported that the taste of drugs was the biggest barrier to completing treatment. This is especially problematic for children, as they have a heightened sensitivity to bitter tastes until adolescence.
For instance, antiretroviral medication for HIV is notoriously bitter, making it a significant obstacle to adherence, particularly in young children. To overcome this challenge, some drugmakers have developed alternatives like strawberry-flavored drugs that dissolve in water.
Scientists are also working on a solution to the broader issue of terrible-tasting pills. Researchers from the UCL School of Pharmacy are using data from an “electric tongue” to create an artificial intelligence (AI) system that can predict the bitterness of drugs. Their ultimate goal is to make medications slightly more palatable, ensuring patients stick to their treatment plans.
Tips to make swallowing pills easier
If you struggle with taking medication due to its taste, here are a few easy tricks to help you out. First, try placing the pill on the back of your tongue and quickly swallowing it with a glass of water. Second, hold your nose while swallowing; your sense of smell plays a significant role in what you taste.
Lastly, you can cover the pill with something sweet like honey or maple syrup. As Mary Poppins famously said, “a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.”
Fact checkers have verified the information in this article at the time of publishing. Text, images, and links may be edited, removed, or added to in order to keep the information current.
