What is the difference between a syrup and a pill?

We already know this – when winter begins, respiratory morbidity increases, and among other things, this includes viruses such as RSV, which are common among children, and of course the flu. Many parents are debating what is the ideal drug treatment for fever reduction and pain relief – is there a difference between drug treatment in syrup and one given in pills, at what age can one start taking a pill and what do you do when a child does not succeed?First a clarification – whether a medicine is given in syrup or whether it is a pill – it should only be given according to the indication for which it is used. If it is a prescription drug, follow the instructions provided by the doctor or pharmacist.

When it comes to children, the small body mass requires us to adjust the treatment dose according to their body weight. Regarding toddlers and young babies – the degree of maturity and development of different systems in the body that react to the medicine are also taken into account. Therefore, there are drugs that are relevant for use only at certain ages and are not allowed at any age.

Syrup or pill – what’s the difference?

Drug treatment in syrup and pills that are given as a drug by mouth belong to the same medical terminology – “oral treatment”. Therefore, there is no essential difference between them, because both reach the stomach, undergo decomposition and absorption of the substance through the digestive system and from there reach the bloodstream and affect the body systemically.

One of the other significant differences between pills and syrup is the taste: syrups have a dominant taste that sometimes affects the child’s consent to take the medicine, some are tasty and some are less so. On the other hand, the pills have less taste, and most children who practice swallowing prefer them over the taste of the syrup.

It is important to note that there are other treatments that work differently: treatment through the vein does not go through the digestive system, but goes straight to the bloodstream, and also local treatment with an ointment usually affects only the area where it is applied. Treatment with rectal suppositories is different from other medications, because it works in a slightly different mechanism when the suppository breaks down in the child’s anus and is absorbed through the blood vessels of the anus into the bloodstream. The dose, in such a case, is fixed and cannot be precisely adjusted to the child’s weight. It is important to emphasize that it is forbidden to cross a candle or insert only part of it.

Who is better syrup and who a pill?

As we mentioned before, the body mass of the children requires us to be precise in the dosages. When using pills, the dose is fixed, so it is difficult to accurately determine the dose that is suitable for young children (who weigh 25-30 kg). Therefore, when it comes to these weights, we will almost always prefer to give syrup treatment, which we can measure and give the child the exact dose of the medicine. When it comes to a large child who weighs more than For the specified weights, sometimes a large amount of syrup is required in order to provide the required dose, which may be cumbersome, inconvenient and not economical.

What do you do when a child has trouble swallowing a pill?

Most children up to the age of 12 have difficulty swallowing pills due to their size and due to the fear of swallowing a “lump” that is not food without chewing beforehand. Therefore, from the age of 12 it is recommended and advisable to practice swallowing pills with the children. One of the tips for such practice is to use small tic-tac candies that simulate the ball and the act of swallowing.

In conclusion, there is no essential difference between syrup treatment and pill treatment. Usually syrup is given to children up to the age of 12 or so due to the need to match the child’s weight with the dose of the medicine. When it comes to children over the age of 12, the weight usually allows a transition to treatment with pills. These are often more comfortable to take, but they require skill and practice.

The author is Dr. Moriah Gal, a specialist in family medicine at Maccabi Health Services in the southern district