What to do when pill gets stuck in Throat

Wise RX Card
2 min readOct 31, 2022

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If you got a pill stuck in your throat, it could be a terrifying moment, but it is a rare medical emergency.

If someone you know swallows a medication, it blocks their airway, preventing them from breathing. You can also use the Heimlich manoeuvre or the five-and-five technique.

Before you do either of these, you should have someone who can call 911.

Here are the steps to perform the five-and five method by the Red Cross, follow these steps:

  • Stand behind the person, place one arm across their chest and lean them forward at the waist.
  • Give five blows to their back, between the shoulder blades, with your hand’s heel.
  • Also, place the thumb side of your fist above the navel, against the middle of the abdomen.
  • Repeat the process until the person coughs or the pill comes out.

WHEN YOU ARE ALONE

If you are alone and a pill is obstructing your airway that’s making it tough to breathe, follow the steps:

  • Make a fist and place it above the navel.
  • Use your other hand to hold on to the first.
  • Bend over a hard surface like a table edge, railing, or chair.

IF THE PERSON COUGHS PERSISTENTLY

If the person is coughing, they can breathe, and the airway is not 100 percent obstructed. Encourage the patient to continue coughing to get the pill out.

HOW TO PREVENT GETTING A PILL STUCK IN YOUR THROAT

Here are a few ways where you can avoid a tablet from becoming lodged in your throat:

  • Take the medicine in plenty of liquids. Drinking water after, during, and before you swallow the pill will ensure it doesn’t get stuck.
  • Give throat muscles some room to work by tilting your head forward.
  • Take the pill with yogurt, gelatin dessert, or applesauce unless the medication needs to be taken on an empty stomach.
  • Check with the pharmacist whether your pills can be mixed with food, crushed, or dissolved in water.

CONCLUSION

If you want to get rid of stuck pills in the throat, follow the above steps. It can help you get rid of emergencies in case you incur one.

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Resource — https://www.wiserxcard.com/things-to-do-if-pill-gets-stuck-in-throat/

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Wise RX Card
Wise RX Card

Written by Wise RX Card

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