Every year, people around the world take an astonishing 3.8 trillion doses of medicine. Most of these medicines are swallowed rather than injected or inhaled, because the oral route is the easiest, safest and most familiar way to take a drug at home. But even something as routine as swallowing a pill can sometimes cause harm.
Pill-induced oesophagitis occurs when a tablet or capsule gets stuck in the narrowing at the lower end of the oesophagus, where it meets the stomach. If a pill lodges there and begins to dissolve, it can release its active ingredients directly onto the delicate tissue. These substances are often acidic or alkaline, and that chemical burn can quickly cause pain and inflammation. Although considered uncommon, studies suggest it has an estimated incidence of 3.9 per 100,000 population per year. It may be under-reported because mild cases often resolve without medical attention.
