[Calm]

I take the generic for Zoloft (Sertraline). When I take my daily dosage, I always swallow it with some water right away. Well, about two weeks ago, I took my dosage but didn't swallow it right away. I stopped for several seconds to look for my other med container in my cabinet. While doing this, the Sertraline began dissolving in the back of my throat. Within less than 15 seconds, I began experiencing a burning in the back of my mouth and my tongue started to go numb. I immediately drank my water but it was too late. The burning intensified as the evening passed and the numbness in my tongue did subside some. The back of my mouth burned badly for the following 24 hours but it did slowly get better over a period of three days. I did speak to the pharmacist about it and was told to call the poison control center. Did that and they told me to call the drug company directly. Called the drug company and an adverse reaction report was taken by the representative. I expressed my concern to the representative about what in the drug could have caused such a burn to my mouth. Needless to say, I'll never make that mistake again and make sure I swallow that pill pronto with plenty of water. I don't know if this could happen to anyone else, but I'm just putting it out here as a word of warning. I had my tonsils removed when I was 20 due to repeated bouts of severe tonsillitis and this burning from this pill was worse than that.

[psisci]

That is weird. I am wondering if you didn't get some of the powder inside the pill up into your ascending sinus cavity, which enters the mouth at the back of the throat. If so this is very sensitive skin and easily inflamed. It is also possible you had the bad luck to get a contaminated pill, or a pill with something else in it.

[Calm]

Thank you for your response about this and the point you raised about the sinus cavity. I'm sure that's a possibility. As far as the issue of the pill being contaminated, well, that sure is a scary thought. I'm just always making sure now I swallow it quickly with water to prevent another reoccurrence. I don't want to go through that experience again.

[psisci]

I don't blame you!! I would rather have a broken arm than a seriously sore throat...