Even if you’re sure to drink at least six ounces of water when you take a pill, you can still be missing out on optimal relief – unless you stand up. Army investigators have found that lying down immediately after swallowing tends to trap medication in the esophagus for five minutes or longer, delaying its reaching the stomach and being absorbed into the bloodstream.
Many drugs – including antibiotics, iron tablets, quinidine, and vitamin C – can irritate the esophagus, causing burning pain and difficulty in swallowing completely. So, always wash down a pill with liquid – water, juice, or whatever the doctor advises – and if you’re not confined to bed, stand up for a couple of minutes to enable it to get down to work.
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