Feeling Burning Sensation In Upper Chest After Swallowing An Advil Liquid Gel Without Water. Concerned

Posted on Fri, 26 Oct 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 Answered on

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : I swallowed an advil liquid gel without water, which I never do - and now I feel a burning sensation in my upper chest. Nothing too extreme but I don't know if maybe I'm being paranoid after reading of ill effects about swallowing pills without water. I didn't have water for almost an hour or more after swallowing the pill. will this go away? Is it possible to have gotten stuck in my esophagus? Does the fact that it's a liquid gel mean it hopefully dissolves?

Answered by Dr. Ram Choudhary (2 hours later)

Hi,
Thanks for writing in to Healthcare Magic!
The active ingredient in Advil is ibuprofen, an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) that is a pain reliever and fever reducer and can be ulcerogenic if taken on empty stomach.
Preferably it should be taken after you eat something and should use water to flush it down the esophagus.
The gel has remained partly smeared on esophagus and has produced irritation that is why you are feeling the trouble. Eat something like a banana or bread-milk and take liberal fluids.
It would resolve soon, but you should be aware in future about this.
If you have any further query please let me know I would try to answer it for you.
Wish you a great health!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar