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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Could Choking During Intake Of Tablets Cause Pills Entering Lungs?

Hi Doc. I took all 4 of my meds. with one swallow as I usually do, but this time I started to choke. I gagged 2 of them back up and ran for the big bottle of green tea in the fridge. I then took a huge swallow. I think everything is fine now, but not 100% certain. There was a bitter aftertaste left in my mouth. If the 2 small pills somehow got into my lungs, would I be in any danger?? Regards, Joe.
Wed, 28 May 2014
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
hi thanks for asking this in HCM. There s no need to panic for this. first my advice is that dont take all the tablets at a time take it atleast in two swallows. while you swallow your airway gets closed by epiglottis to prevent anything from entering and even if u accidentally aspirate something your body's protective mechanism causes you to cough and you ll get it back as it happened in your case. the bitter taste in your mouth may be due to the tablets sticking to ur inner part of pharynx so no need to worry for that. if you still are concerned about it go to a ent specialist and get a tracheoscopy done..
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Could Choking During Intake Of Tablets Cause Pills Entering Lungs?

hi thanks for asking this in HCM. There s no need to panic for this. first my advice is that dont take all the tablets at a time take it atleast in two swallows. while you swallow your airway gets closed by epiglottis to prevent anything from entering and even if u accidentally aspirate something your body s protective mechanism causes you to cough and you ll get it back as it happened in your case. the bitter taste in your mouth may be due to the tablets sticking to ur inner part of pharynx so no need to worry for that. if you still are concerned about it go to a ent specialist and get a tracheoscopy done..