What Should Be Done After Accidental Aspiration Of Pill?

Posted on Sun, 17 Jan 2016

Sun, 17 Jan 2016 Answered on

Thu, 18 Feb 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I was taking some pills and I think I aspirated one to my lungs. Will the pill dissolve or do I need to go to the emergency room?

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
you have to go to the emergency room

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

aspirated solid foreign bodies have to be removed if possible from the airways because they may cause obstruction, atelectasis, pneumonia (chemical and bacterial) and generally impair lung functionality. I have to so though that it's not easy to aspirate foreign material because it usually causes the feeling of suffocation and an irritating cough, which you haven't mentioned.

But if you have indeed aspirated it, removal with bronchoscopy is recommended.

Kind Regards!

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