Most pharmacists recommend liquid medicines for young children, as it’s almost impossible to get them to swallow a capsule or tablet. Liquid medicines are also absorbed into the system more quickly than solid pills, as the particle size is smaller. All forms of medicines do, however, stay active in the system for the same amount of time. For instance, if your doctor advises you to take Tylenol every four hours, you should take it every four hours -- regardless of whether you’re using a liquid, capsule or tablet form.
Some medications, however, are not suitable in liquid form because the medicine settles at the bottom. These types of medicines are therefore offered only in solid form, such as a capsule, tablet, or chewable tablet.
Capsules are generally easier to swallow than tablets because they’re coated with a smooth, gelatin-type material. In fact, tablets can be chalky, quite large and often difficult to swallow. Medication also reaches the system more quickly in capsule than tablet form. Only the gelatin exterior must melt for the capsules to activate, whereas an entire tablet must disintegrate in order to be absorbed by the body.
Although many products are offered in both tablet and capsule forms, some medications are not compatible with capsule form -- and vice versa. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about your medication.
Another point to keep in mind: Some medications need to be crushed -- or in the case of capsules, opened and sprinkled -- to get a child to take them. And because capsules contain liquid, in this case it’s best to buy the tablet counterpart.
