Can a zoloft pill cause a burning sensation if it gets stuck in your throat?

In this blog, we are going to talk about the discomfort caused when zoloft gets stuck in your throat and causes burning sensation. We are also going to talk about ways to dislodge a pill and get rid of the burning throat sensation. 

Can a zoloft pill cause a burning sensation if it gets stuck in your throat? 

Yes, the pill of zoloft can cause a severe burning sensation if it gets stuck in your throat.  When the pill gets stuck in your throat, it gets dissolved to some extent and releases some of its acid that causes pain, irritation and burning. 

Even when the pill is dislodged, it still feels stuck because of the irritation and muscle spasm it leaves behind. This usually happens because of improper drug administration. People just shove pills in their month and try to swallow it without even a sip of water. 

This is the biggest reason why people get a pill stuck in their throat. You should properly sit down, relax yourself, have a glass of water and then take your pill. 

When you’re in a standing position or talking, your throat muscles are contracted that leaves small inflexible space for the pill to pass through. When you’re in a relaxed state, your throat muscles are relaxed and the pill can move through them in a much better way. 

Improper swallowing of pills can lead to serious complications if it accidentally goes into your windpipe. It may cause symptoms like choking, shortness of breath, severe coughing, and you may start to hyperventilate. Make sure you consume your pills properly. 

What could be done if a pill gets stuck in your throat? 

You try a few things to help dislodge the pill down your throat. These include:

Have a glass of water

Having a glass of water is something you should have done in the first place, but it’s still not so late. Start gulping down water slowly to help push down the stuck pill. 

Make sure you’re in a relaxed position. Try lying down after drinking water. This relaxes your throat muscles and makes the movement of the pill much easier. 

Eat something 

You can try to eat a piece of bread, some jelly or anything soft that can help push the pill down. Do not eat anything big or solid. Eat small bites which are more likely to dislodge the stuck pill. 

Make sure you’re in a relaxed position. Do not lie down while eating any food or consuming a pill. Make sure you’re always in a relaxed sitting position. 

Throw it up 

If you feel like you’re choking, can’t breathe or you start coughing uncontrollably, try to induce emesis or vomiting. You can push your finger down your throat which can help you throw up and remove the pill from your throat. 

You can also try your toothbrush if you can’t use your finger. Meanwhile, you can try thinking about throwing up. In this way your brain will speed up the process and induce vomiting in no time. 

How to get rid of the burning sensation in your throat? 

There are a few ways you can try to help soothe your irritated esophageal membrane. These include:

Drink hot liquids

Warm liquids are best to soothe your throat muscles. Try adding honey in luke-warm water. Honey has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties and can also help relieve the acidic burning sensation of your throat. 

Ginger tea can also be used to relax a burning throat. Studies reveal the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties of ginger and it is well known to be a herbal treatment of sore throat. 

You can try boiling a small piece of ginger in water for a few minutes. Now turn off the stove and let it sit for a while to bring down the temperature. Add a teaspoon of honey and enjoy this refreshing tea. 

It reduces the inflammation of your throat muscles and can contribute to the healing of damaged esophageal membranes. 

Licorice is another herb that can help to get rid of burning sensation in your throat. Studies have revealed its anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and pain relieving properties, which can make it very useful in case of a burning throat. 

You can try making its tea and add a teaspoon of honey for some added benefits and some sweetness. 

Salt-water gargles

Try gargling with salt water. Add half a teaspoon of salt in 1-2 cups of lukewarm water and gargle for 5 to 10 minutes. This can help provide relief to some extent. 

Drink plenty of water

Make sure you drink lots and lots of water to help reduce the acidity of your throat and to keep washing any residues. Drinking plenty of water is a great habit in itself. It drives out toxins in your body and keeps your organs well hydrated and energised. 

Over-the-counter painkillers 

If the pill has done quite some damage and you feel unbearable pain, you can try taking paracetamol. Other painkillers, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are not that safe to be used with zoloft. 

The concomitant use can increase the risk of bleeding. Make sure you ask your doctor before taking any medication on your own. Paracetamol, however, is relatively safer, but don’t consume too much of it. 

Try throat soothing lozenges 

There are plenty of different flavoured soothing lozenges available at your local pharmacy. You can pick out your favourite flavour and suck on it. It can help relieve your throat pain and irritation to some extent. Do not chew it, as it won’t produce enough beneficial effects.

Avoid eating spicy and acidic foods for a while 

Make sure you avoid spicy foods while your throat is compromised. It can irritate your damaged esophageal membrane even more and may enhance your painful symptoms. 

It is also not advised to eat foods with high acidic content. Avoid citrus fruits, citrus juices and vinegar for a while, till your throat recovers. Excessive intake of these foods will prolong the healing of your damaged throat. 

Precautions 

It is very important to take precautions and use the med as properly as you can. Do not take medication without water. Make sure you’re relaxed while taking your med. 

Try taking it with food as it is not only easy to swallow, but it also helps you avoid zoloft induced acid reflux, which is one of the most common side effects. Zoloft is available in two forms, tablet and oral liquid form. 

Tablets:

Tablets can be taken with food or on an empty stomach. It’s best to eat something before taking it, in order to avoid acid reflux. Make sure you take it as directed by your healthcare provider. 

Oral solution:

Oral solution comes with a measuring device. Measure the amount accurately. You can dilute it in water. If water is too bland for you, you can mix it in some lemonade, ginger ale or lemon soda, to mask the taste better.

Conclusion 

In this blog, we have discussed the discomfort caused when zoloft gets stuck in your throat and causes a severe burning sensation. 

This is because zoloft is formulated as an acidic salt, which means the drug starts to release acid when it comes in contact with moisture and starts dissolving. This usually happens because of improper drug administration. 

People just shove pills in their month and try to swallow it without even a sip of water. This is the biggest reason why people get a pill stuck in their throat. You should properly sit down, relax yourself, have a glass of water and then take your pill. 

We have discussed a few other things to help relieve the pain and burning associated with this problem. You can try warm herbal teas, salt-water gargling, over-the-counter painkillers and lozenges. 

Make sure you drink plenty of water and avoid foods that might make your throat damage worse. 

FAQs: pill stuck in throat burning zoloft

How do I get rid of the burning in my throat from pills?

• Try gargling with salt water. Add half a teaspoon of salt in 1-2 cups of lukewarm water and gargle for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Try throat soothing lozenges. There are plenty of different flavoured soothing lozenges available at your local pharmacy
• Warm liquids are best to soothe your throat muscles. Try adding honey in luke-warm water. Honey has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. 
• Ginger tea can also be used to relax a burning throat. Studies have revealed anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties of ginger. 
• Licorice tea can also be used. It possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and pain relieving properties. 
• Avoid eating spicy and acidic foods for a while 
• Drink plenty of water 

Can sertraline irritate your throat?

If sertraline comes in contact with your throat for a longer period of time, it can cause damage to the protective mucosa lining your throat by releasing acid. It may also damage your throat by inducing acid reflux, which can irritate your oesophagus. 

Why does my throat burn after taking a pill?

Some pills are acidic in nature and can cause burning sensation in your throat, especially when you take them without water. It is extremely important to provide enough lubrication to the pill to help it slide down your throat. Always take your meds with water. 

How long does pill induced esophagitis last?

It could take up to 2 to 10 days, depending on the severity of damage your pill had caused. 

How long does it take for a pill stuck in your throat to dissolve?

This process could take a while but you can significantly speed it up by drinking plenty of water. Make sure you always take your meds with water. Sometimes, the pill has slipped down but the damage it caused makes you feel like the pill is still stuck. This sensation could take up to a few hours to go away. 

Does sertraline give you heartburn?

Yes, sertraline is associated with acid reflux. In fact, this is one of the most commonly reported side effects of this antidepressant. 

References 

• National Library of Medicine – Sertraline hydrochloride https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Sertraline-hydrochloride
• Nafiseh Shokri Mashhadi, Reza Ghiasvand, and Mohammad Reza Mofid (2013) – Anti-Oxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Ginger in Health and Physical Activity: Review of Current Evidence https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3665023/#__ffn_sectitle
• Modi M, Modi K. – Ginger Root https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK565886/#_NBK565886_pubdet_
• Bode AM, Dong Z. – The Amazing and Mighty Ginger https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92775/#_NBK92775_pubdet_
• Shadma Wahab, Sivakumar Annadurai, and Mohd Amir (2021) – Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice): A Comprehensive Review on Its Phytochemistry, Biological Activities, Clinical Evidence and Toxicology https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8703329/#__ffn_sectitle
• Kazunari Satomura et al. Am J Prev Med. (2005) – Prevention of upper respiratory tract infections by gargling: a randomized trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16242593/