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Suggest Remedy For Medicine Stuck In Throat

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Posted on Mon, 18 Jan 2016
Question: yesterday I swallowed three pills at bedtime and I feel like one has been lodged in my throat or went down the wrong pipe. it is painful to swallow and I have a lot of pain in my
chest when I try to breathe.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (45 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Here is some information:

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

I am sorry you are having this problem.

If the pill went down the right pipe (esophagus) but got lodged, drink water and eat a small amount of bread. My guess is that if the pills were taken last night that they would have dissolved by now but the irritation to the throat or esophagus remains. This should gradually get better and taking a mild acid blocker such as Zantac (ranitidine) 150 mg for 1 week, should help.

If the pill did go down the wrong pipe (pharynx) then you would likely have a lot of coughing. If this is the case, it would be wise to go in to urgent care of ER and have a chest X-ray to see what is going on.

Esophageal spasm, in reaction to a stuck or irritating pill (which will have already dissolved) can cause pain in the chest and sometimes a feeling like you want to drool instead of swallow because swallowing hurts.

I am concerned about the chest pain with breathing, and for that I would recommend going in to be seen now.

I hope this helps you sort out what you need to do.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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Suggest Remedy For Medicine Stuck In Throat

Brief Answer: Here is some information: Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX I am sorry you are having this problem. If the pill went down the right pipe (esophagus) but got lodged, drink water and eat a small amount of bread. My guess is that if the pills were taken last night that they would have dissolved by now but the irritation to the throat or esophagus remains. This should gradually get better and taking a mild acid blocker such as Zantac (ranitidine) 150 mg for 1 week, should help. If the pill did go down the wrong pipe (pharynx) then you would likely have a lot of coughing. If this is the case, it would be wise to go in to urgent care of ER and have a chest X-ray to see what is going on. Esophageal spasm, in reaction to a stuck or irritating pill (which will have already dissolved) can cause pain in the chest and sometimes a feeling like you want to drool instead of swallow because swallowing hurts. I am concerned about the chest pain with breathing, and for that I would recommend going in to be seen now. I hope this helps you sort out what you need to do.