OCR Text |
Show Medicines Should Be Taken Properly To Avoid Problems That small capsule of medicine may be just what the doctor ordered for your illness, but it could cause additional problems if not taken properly, says Dr. Hal Cole, LDS Hospital gastroenterologist. Whenever you swallow a capsule, you should always drink some water immediately. And you should always take such medicine while sitting or standing," explains Dr. Cole. Problems can arise whenever a person doesn't follow these instructions. "Studies have shown the capsules can become stuck in the person's esophagus causing a small, but painful, ulcer," he adds. One study demonstrated capsules taken with as little as one tablespoon of liquid pass into the stomach within 15 seconds after being swallowed. However, when the same capsules were taken without liquids, the medication often became lodged in the esophagus. This could be particulary hazardous depending upon the drug involved. Some are more dangerous to swallow lying down and without water than others. These include two antibiotics tetracycline and doxycycline as well as iron, quinine and potassium. Doxycycline is particularly hazardous since, the medication is often administered once a day, and, because of certain side effects, is commonly taken at night. "Persons frequently take this medication immediately before going to bed. Then, if the capsule has not cleared the esophagus, it can end up resting there for hours creating an ulcer, notes Dr. Cole. "You should wait least IS mintues before lying down." sj y Although the ulcer may be quite painful and last up to 10 days, Dr. Cole notes, it's not normally considered too dangerous. "It's not uncommon for a person with this problem to visit, a hospital emergency room for relief" he concludes. "But by that point, we can only give antacids for relief of the pain and wait for the ulcer to heal itself." |