What happens when you swallow a pill without water

Whatever the reason might be, but gulping pills without water is not a good thing to do.

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Medicine Pills Capsules
Medicine Pills Capsules

Last Updated on January 5, 2024 by The Health Master

Do you take medicine without water?

Have you ever swallowed a pill without water?

At some point, you might have tried to pull this stunt either because you are too lazy to get a glass of water or you are too busy.

Whatever the reason might be, but gulping pills without water is not a good thing to do.

Not because you may choke while doing so, but the reason is more dangerous.

Why is it harmful

The reason why it is recommended to take pills with fluid is that it makes swallowing easier and prevents the tablets from getting stuck in your esophagus.

If you just gulp down the tablets, there are rife possibilities that it will get stuck in the esophagus and will make you uncomfortable.

Gif: Giphy

The pill can cause irritation and inflammation in the esophagus and can further lead to a number of issues like heartburn, chest pain and at times it even worse like bleeding and holes.

Also read: How to Keep Your Kidneys Healthy

Be careful!

You might not witness the symptoms right away due to the absence of pain nerves in the esophagus.

But if the pills do not make their way down, it may harm the delicate tissue of the esophagus, which can cause further complications like dehydration and ulcer.

The consequence is even worse when you are consuming some specific medicines for osteoporosis or antibiotics.

The bottom line

To avoid any unwanted complication, it is best to drink plenty of water while taking your medications.

As per the Cleveland Clinic, a person should take oral medications with 250 ml of water.

Apart from this, you should always take your medicine while standing or sitting.

You may choke if you lie down and have your pill.

For the same reason, it is recommended to have your tablets 15 minutes before going to bed, so that pills can pass down the esophagus.

Also read: 7 tips for healthy Eyes