Millions of Australians take oral medications every day. For many people, it’s routine. But for a significant number (up to 40%)*, swallowing tablets or capsules is genuinely difficult, uncomfortable, or even distressing.
This isn’t just a problem for elderly residents in aged care. Pill dysphagia (the medical term for difficulty swallowing tablets) affects people of all ages. Children, adults recovering from illness or surgery, and older people with conditions like Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or dementia can all struggle with what seems like a simple daily task.
The trouble is, when tablets are hard to swallow, people often resort to solutions that seem sensible but can potentially alter efficacy and cause harm.
When tablets are hard to get down, many people instinctively reach for food. Apple puree, yoghurt, and jam are common choices. Others crush their tablets and mix them with whatever is on hand.
It feels like problem-solving. But there are some important things to know.
Crushing isn’t always safe. Many medications, including slow-release or enteric-coated tablets, must not be crushed. Doing so can increase the risk of side effects, reduce the therapeutic effect, or mean the person doesn’t receive the right dose. Always check with a pharmacist before altering any medication.
Food can interfere with medication absorption. Research has shown that mixing crushed tablets into foods and thickened liquids can significantly reduce the rate at which a medication dissolves and becomes available to the body. Foods and drinks simply aren’t designed to work with medications.
Thickened liquids present a particular challenge. For people with dysphagia who are already on thickened fluids, mixing crushed tablets into those fluids can further interfere with drug absorption due to the sticky and thick nature of the gum in thickeners.
The bottom line? Food is, ideally, for nutrition and enjoyment, not for delivering medications.
This is exactly the problem that Gloup was designed to solve.
Gloup is a slippery, gel made from 100% natural, food-grade ingredients. It works by encapsulating a whole tablet or capsule, making it far easier to slide from the mouth and down the throat without getting stuck.
Unlike apple puree or yoghurt, Gloup was specifically formulated for use with medications. Its key ingredients, maltodextrin and a seaweed-derived carrageenan, break down almost immediately once they reach the acidic environment of the stomach, meaning Gloup has minimal to no impact on medication absorption. Importantly, it has no known interactions with medications.
Recent research published by the University of Queensland concluded that mixing whole tablets with Gloup was considered bioequivalent to swallowing whole tablets with water.*
Gloup’s effectiveness isn’t just anecdotal. A survey of 355 healthcare workers across aged care facilities in Australia found that among those who had used a medication lubricant, 89% agreed it was an effective method to facilitate medication swallowing in residents.
Staff reported the main benefits as easier medication administration (49%), a reduced need to crush medications (34%), and better adherence with medications (33%)*.
Gloup has also been independently assessed against the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework, the internationally recognised system used by clinicians to classify the thickness of foods and fluids for people with swallowing difficulties.
Gloup is listed on Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) register as a Class I medical device. In 2025, it supported over 25 million medication administrations in Australia.
Gloup can be used by people who struggle to swallow tablets or capsules, not just those with a formal dysphagia diagnosis. This includes:
Gloup is free from gluten, gelatin, lactose and other common allergens, making it suitable for people with dietary restrictions. The raspberry-flavoured version is low in sugar. All varieties have a pleasant taste that can help mask the bitterness of medications, a bonus for anyone who has ever grimaced at the taste of a crushed tablet.
Using Gloup is straightforward:
That’s it. No crushing. No mixing into food. No guessing whether your medication is still working properly.
For those who have been crushing tablets out of necessity, Gloup often removes the need to do so, allowing tablets to be taken whole as intended. However, if crushing has been advised by your healthcare professional. Gloup can be mixed with crushed medications by either putting the crushed medication between 2 layers of Gloup or stirring the crushed medication into the Gloup.
Gloup comes in two thickness levels to suit individual needs:
Having options matters, not just for taste preference, but because the right thickness level can make a real difference for people with different swallowing profiles.
Difficulty swallowing tablets is far more common than most people realise, and the makeshift solutions many people reach for can carry real risks. A purpose-built medication lubricant, like Gloup, offers a clinically supported and simple alternative that assists both the person taking the medication and the integrity of the medication itself.
If you or someone in your care struggles with tablets, it’s worth trying something that was actually designed for the job.
Gloup is available in pharmacies, through wholesalers, and online at gloup.com.au
Follow Gloup Australia on Instagram and Facebook for tips and updates.
For people with moderate to severe dysphagia, consult a healthcare professional before use. Always check with your pharmacist before altering or crushing any medication.
*Clinical evidence available upon request by contacting customerservice@evomed.com.au
