What Must I Do When A Birth Control Active Pill Gets Stuck In The Throat?

Posted on Sat, 22 Sep 2018

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

Sat, 22 Sep 2018 Answered on

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello so I took my birth control active pill and I'm not sure if it got stuck in my esophagus (throat) but if it did would it make the pill less effective? Also, how long will it take a pill to dissolve in your throat?

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Not possible

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

It's very hard for a pill to get stuck in the esophagus and stay there. Drinking a cup of water should be enough to get the pill moving down the esophagus into the stomach. Even if it had dissolved in your throat the substances would have ended up inside your stomach (and would have gotten absorbed).

Therefore you can consider the pill taken. Keep in mind though that you should have completed at least one cycle of contraceptive pills before you can expect them to prevent pregnancy with certainty.

I hope I've answered your query. Let me know if you need further assistance.
Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (9 minutes later)

Thank you for your response, I had no idea that it was quite impossible for a pill to get stuck in your throat? Also how long would it take for the birth control pill to dissolve in my throat if that was the case?

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
normally it's impossible

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Normally it's impossible for a pill to get stuck in the esophagus. If the peristaltic movements do not push it forward the water will. Just make sure you drink a glass of water every time you get any pill. There are very rare cases where the a pill or food may get stuck somewhere for example when a patient has esophageal diverticula or motility disorders. In healthy individuals it's considered to be extremely rare.

I can't say how much time it may take. It depends. But in the meantime you would probably have eaten or drunk something which should have been enough to push the pill downwards.

Regards!

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

Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (46 minutes later)

Yeah I suffer from anxiety so I’m thinking that’s the reason I feel that sensation of the pill getting stuck. The reason I asked about the time it takes the pill to dissolve is because I know birth control has a 3 hour gap or else it’s considered a missed dose so that’s my only concern. I take my birth control pill at the exact same time, 5pm, everyday.

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
This is true.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

It's true that birth control pills should be taken at the same time each day. I'm sure that your symptoms are only caused by anxiety and your question is fueled by the same disorder as well. Just make sure that you drink a full glass of water with the pill and be reassured that the pill is going to work as expected!

The only way for the contraception to fail is if you miss pills or if you take them too many hours after the expected time. Even then the pills may still work in some cases.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (4 minutes later)

Yeah I’ve never missed a pill and I think that’s why I’m stressing over the idea of the pill not dissolving properly. So just to clarify since I have been taking my medication at the same time i shouldn’t worry about it? Even if it gets stuck in my throat because it should have dissolved within those three hours?

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Don't worry

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Taking the pill with a glass of water is sure to provide the necessary protection. You shouldn't worry at all!

Regards

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