Tylenol debuts Easy to Swallow pill

Tylenol is unveiling its new Easy to Swallow product.

The newly launched pain-relief pill is designed specifically for people who dislike taking pills or have trouble swallowing, which the company said addresses the unmet need of 20% of consumers. 

With the Easy to Swallow product, the brand also is debuting its Gentleglide Technology, which is a pill coating activated by water to reduce friction when swallowing for an easier experience. In addition, it also addresses four primary attributes that consumers value when considering swallowability—shape, size, taste and coating.

[Read more: Tylenol debuts 2 new pain products]

This new product will be available on Amazon and at local retailers starting March 29.

“As a leader in the category, Tylenol is committed to improving the pain relief category and will innovate based on best supporting local market needs,” said Jen Gow, head of Tylenol. “We know from our longstanding history with focus groups and consumer testing that the issue of swallowability is at the forefront of consumers’ minds when discussing OTC medications.”

Gow shared that in a focus group investigating consumer routines when taking solid pills, consumers shared they look for coated pill options as the coating makes the pill easier to swallow and eliminates an unpleasant aftertaste and chalky texture. 

"The makers of Tylenol are solving for an unmet need. Nearly one in five people who have taken oral medications have hesitated prior to taking pills because they thought they might have trouble swallowing them. 20% of consumers who don’t like taking pills falls across all age ranges, from teenagers learning to take pills for the first time to those with pill dysphagia to those who have chronic conditions and take many pills a day—this innovation is for a wide array of people,” Gow said. 

Gow added, “Tylenol Easy to Swallow was created for those consumers who are open to a pill option but hesitate when taking pills and may resort to uncomfortable alternatives to make swallowing easier such as biting and chewing pills, drinking an unnecessary amount of water, or placing the pill far back on the tongue. The Gentleglide Technology in Tylenol Easy to Swallow works by significantly reducing friction when swallowing. This is accomplished through a coating that is activated when wet, so the pill easily and smoothly glides down the throat. “

Lastly Gow said that this technology combined with the rounded pill shape and the sweetening agent in the coating, which stimulates salivation to further enhance swallowability, provides for a pleasant swallowing experience.