Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsComplicationsDiagnosisTreatmentsPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Complications
Diagnosis
Treatments
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Pill esophagitis, also known as drug-induced esophagitis, is pain and discomfort felt inside the chest and throat after swallowing certain medications. The pain occurs inside the tube, called theesophagus, that connects the mouth to the stomach.
This article describes the symptoms and causes of pill esophagitis as well as how the condition is diagnosed and treated. It also offers tips on how to avoid esophagitis if you frequently experience pain after swallowing pills, tablets, or capsules.
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Pill esophagitis is about more than a pill “getting stuck in the throat.” It is caused when certain medications injure the lining of the esophagus, called theesophageal mucosa, causing chest pain, heartburn, and other symptoms.
Pill esophagitis typically manifests with redness and open sores (calledulcers) in the mid-esophagus where the tube narrows around the heart. These ulcers can become infected and cause “kissing ulcers” in which a second ulcer appears adjacent or opposite to the first.
Medications Linked to Esophagitis
Certain medications are more likely to cause pill esophagitis than others. Among those most commonly linked to pill esophagitis are:
Risk Factors for Pill Esophagitis
Risk factors for pill esophagitis include:
Pill esophagitis is more common in females, due in part to their smaller anatomy.Older adults are also at risk as they are more likely to have low saliva production and disorders that affect the mechanics of swallowing.
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The symptoms of pill esophagitis are the result of damage caused to the lining of the esophagus. Symptoms can occur soon after swallowing a pill but may occur days later, particularly with sustained-release drugs.The symptoms can also get progressively worse if “kissing ulcers” develop.
Classic signs and symptoms of pill esophagitis include:
Many cases of pill esophagitis resolve on their own without any long-term consequences. But, people with chronic or recurrent esophagitis can experience a serious injury, leading to complications such as:
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The diagnosis would start with a review of your symptoms and medical history, including the types of drugs you take. A physical examination of your throat andchest soundsis also involved.
In some cases, all that is needed to make a diagnosis are symptoms of mid-chest pain, dysphagia, or odynophagia paired with the recent use of medications known to cause esophagitis.
In severe cases (or cases where symptoms persist despite stopping the offending drug), the healthcare provider may order a procedure called anupper endoscopy. This involves the insertion of a flexible, lighted scope into your mouth and throat to view the inside of the esophagus. Upper endoscopy is typically done undermild sedationto induce “twilight sleep.”
If you have pill esophagitis, the first thing your healthcare provider may recommend is stopping the offending drug. This may require a drug substitution or a change in your treatment plan.
If needed, your healthcare provider may prescribe the following medications to relieve symptoms and aid with healing:
You would also be advised to avoid hot, spicy, or acidic food until ulcers are fully healed.
How to Treat Erosive Esophagitis
Changing medications may only be part of the solution if you have pill esophagitis. There are certain habits you can adjust to help reduce the risk of future episodes.
If you are prone to pill esophagitis, the following practical tips may help:
Summary
The diagnosis of pill esophagitis typically involves a physical exam, a review of your symptoms and medical history, and possibly an examination of the esophagus with a procedure known as an upper endoscopy.
A Word From VerywellPill esophagitis can cause a number of symptoms and can be associated with other digestive disorders. If you experience pill esophagitis, it’s important to discuss this development with your healthcare provider to determine if additional testing and treatment is necessary.—JAY N. YEPURI, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Pill esophagitis can cause a number of symptoms and can be associated with other digestive disorders. If you experience pill esophagitis, it’s important to discuss this development with your healthcare provider to determine if additional testing and treatment is necessary.—JAY N. YEPURI, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Pill esophagitis can cause a number of symptoms and can be associated with other digestive disorders. If you experience pill esophagitis, it’s important to discuss this development with your healthcare provider to determine if additional testing and treatment is necessary.
—JAY N. YEPURI, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Frequently Asked QuestionsCommon causes include a lack of moisture when swallowing pills, having to swallow big pills, or having an oversensitive gag reflex. Medical conditions like acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), esophageal stricture, and motility disorders can impair swallowing and/or cause a narrowing of the esophagus itself.Learn MoreWhy Do Pills Get Stuck in My Throat?Uncomplicated cases of pill esophagitis generally get better within two days to two weeks. Severe cases may take longer and require aggressive treatment.
Common causes include a lack of moisture when swallowing pills, having to swallow big pills, or having an oversensitive gag reflex. Medical conditions like acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), esophageal stricture, and motility disorders can impair swallowing and/or cause a narrowing of the esophagus itself.Learn MoreWhy Do Pills Get Stuck in My Throat?
Common causes include a lack of moisture when swallowing pills, having to swallow big pills, or having an oversensitive gag reflex. Medical conditions like acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), esophageal stricture, and motility disorders can impair swallowing and/or cause a narrowing of the esophagus itself.
Learn MoreWhy Do Pills Get Stuck in My Throat?
Uncomplicated cases of pill esophagitis generally get better within two days to two weeks. Severe cases may take longer and require aggressive treatment.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zhang Y, Tong Y, Wang W, Xu L.Chest pain from pill-induced esophagitis: a rare side effect of ascorbic acid.SAGE Open MedCase Rep. 2018;6:2050313X18775004. doi:10.1177/2050313X18775004Grossi L, Ciccaglione AF, Marzio L.Esophagitis and its causes: who is “guilty” when acid is found “not guilty”?World J Gastroenterol.2017 May 7;23(17):3011–6. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i17.3011Kim SH, Jeong JB, Kim JW, et al.Clinical and endoscopic characteristics of drug-induced esophagitis.World J Gastroenterol.2014;20(31):10994-9. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i31.10994Dag MS, Ozturk ZA, Tutar E, Cikman O, Gulsen MT.Drug-induced esophageal ulcers: case series and the review of the literature.Turk J Gastroenterol. 2014 Apr;25(2):180-4. doi:10.5152/tjg.2014.5415Philpott HL, Nandurkar S, Lubel J, Gibson PR.Drug-induced gastrointestinal disorders.Frontline Gastroenterol. 2014;5(1):49-57. doi:10.1136/flgastro-2013-100316Radhakrishnan C, Sefidani Forough A, Cichero JAY, et al.A difficult pill to swallow: an investigation of the factors associated with medication swallowing difficulties.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2021;15:29-40. doi:10.2147/PPA.S277238Additional ReadingDağ MS, Öztürk ZA, Akın I, Tutar E, et al.Drug-induced esophageal ulcers: case series and the review of the literature.Turk J Gastroenterol. 2014 Apr;25(2):180-4. doi: 10.5152/tjg.2014.5415.Geagea A, Cellier C.Scope of drug-induced, infectious and allergic esophageal injury.Curr Opin Gastroenterol.2008 Jul;24(4):496-501. doi: 10.1097/MOG.0b013e328304de94.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zhang Y, Tong Y, Wang W, Xu L.Chest pain from pill-induced esophagitis: a rare side effect of ascorbic acid.SAGE Open MedCase Rep. 2018;6:2050313X18775004. doi:10.1177/2050313X18775004Grossi L, Ciccaglione AF, Marzio L.Esophagitis and its causes: who is “guilty” when acid is found “not guilty”?World J Gastroenterol.2017 May 7;23(17):3011–6. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i17.3011Kim SH, Jeong JB, Kim JW, et al.Clinical and endoscopic characteristics of drug-induced esophagitis.World J Gastroenterol.2014;20(31):10994-9. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i31.10994Dag MS, Ozturk ZA, Tutar E, Cikman O, Gulsen MT.Drug-induced esophageal ulcers: case series and the review of the literature.Turk J Gastroenterol. 2014 Apr;25(2):180-4. doi:10.5152/tjg.2014.5415Philpott HL, Nandurkar S, Lubel J, Gibson PR.Drug-induced gastrointestinal disorders.Frontline Gastroenterol. 2014;5(1):49-57. doi:10.1136/flgastro-2013-100316Radhakrishnan C, Sefidani Forough A, Cichero JAY, et al.A difficult pill to swallow: an investigation of the factors associated with medication swallowing difficulties.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2021;15:29-40. doi:10.2147/PPA.S277238Additional ReadingDağ MS, Öztürk ZA, Akın I, Tutar E, et al.Drug-induced esophageal ulcers: case series and the review of the literature.Turk J Gastroenterol. 2014 Apr;25(2):180-4. doi: 10.5152/tjg.2014.5415.Geagea A, Cellier C.Scope of drug-induced, infectious and allergic esophageal injury.Curr Opin Gastroenterol.2008 Jul;24(4):496-501. doi: 10.1097/MOG.0b013e328304de94.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Zhang Y, Tong Y, Wang W, Xu L.Chest pain from pill-induced esophagitis: a rare side effect of ascorbic acid.SAGE Open MedCase Rep. 2018;6:2050313X18775004. doi:10.1177/2050313X18775004Grossi L, Ciccaglione AF, Marzio L.Esophagitis and its causes: who is “guilty” when acid is found “not guilty”?World J Gastroenterol.2017 May 7;23(17):3011–6. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i17.3011Kim SH, Jeong JB, Kim JW, et al.Clinical and endoscopic characteristics of drug-induced esophagitis.World J Gastroenterol.2014;20(31):10994-9. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i31.10994Dag MS, Ozturk ZA, Tutar E, Cikman O, Gulsen MT.Drug-induced esophageal ulcers: case series and the review of the literature.Turk J Gastroenterol. 2014 Apr;25(2):180-4. doi:10.5152/tjg.2014.5415Philpott HL, Nandurkar S, Lubel J, Gibson PR.Drug-induced gastrointestinal disorders.Frontline Gastroenterol. 2014;5(1):49-57. doi:10.1136/flgastro-2013-100316Radhakrishnan C, Sefidani Forough A, Cichero JAY, et al.A difficult pill to swallow: an investigation of the factors associated with medication swallowing difficulties.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2021;15:29-40. doi:10.2147/PPA.S277238
Zhang Y, Tong Y, Wang W, Xu L.Chest pain from pill-induced esophagitis: a rare side effect of ascorbic acid.SAGE Open MedCase Rep. 2018;6:2050313X18775004. doi:10.1177/2050313X18775004
Grossi L, Ciccaglione AF, Marzio L.Esophagitis and its causes: who is “guilty” when acid is found “not guilty”?World J Gastroenterol.2017 May 7;23(17):3011–6. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i17.3011
Kim SH, Jeong JB, Kim JW, et al.Clinical and endoscopic characteristics of drug-induced esophagitis.World J Gastroenterol.2014;20(31):10994-9. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i31.10994
Dag MS, Ozturk ZA, Tutar E, Cikman O, Gulsen MT.Drug-induced esophageal ulcers: case series and the review of the literature.Turk J Gastroenterol. 2014 Apr;25(2):180-4. doi:10.5152/tjg.2014.5415
Philpott HL, Nandurkar S, Lubel J, Gibson PR.Drug-induced gastrointestinal disorders.Frontline Gastroenterol. 2014;5(1):49-57. doi:10.1136/flgastro-2013-100316
Radhakrishnan C, Sefidani Forough A, Cichero JAY, et al.A difficult pill to swallow: an investigation of the factors associated with medication swallowing difficulties.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2021;15:29-40. doi:10.2147/PPA.S277238
Dağ MS, Öztürk ZA, Akın I, Tutar E, et al.Drug-induced esophageal ulcers: case series and the review of the literature.Turk J Gastroenterol. 2014 Apr;25(2):180-4. doi: 10.5152/tjg.2014.5415.Geagea A, Cellier C.Scope of drug-induced, infectious and allergic esophageal injury.Curr Opin Gastroenterol.2008 Jul;24(4):496-501. doi: 10.1097/MOG.0b013e328304de94.
Dağ MS, Öztürk ZA, Akın I, Tutar E, et al.Drug-induced esophageal ulcers: case series and the review of the literature.Turk J Gastroenterol. 2014 Apr;25(2):180-4. doi: 10.5152/tjg.2014.5415.
Geagea A, Cellier C.Scope of drug-induced, infectious and allergic esophageal injury.Curr Opin Gastroenterol.2008 Jul;24(4):496-501. doi: 10.1097/MOG.0b013e328304de94.
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