Short Answer: If you accidentally swallow a troche, it is not a medical emergency, but you may experience some side effects or reduced effectiveness of the medication.
A troche is a medicated lozenge that is designed to dissolve slowly in the mouth.
It is used to deliver medication, such as hormones, vitamins, or minerals, through the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat.
Troches are usually flavored and marked in quarters to indicate the dosage prescribed by a doctor.
If you accidentally swallow a troche, it is not a medical emergency.
The medication will still be absorbed into your bloodstream and will eventually make its way to the rest of your body.
However, you may experience some side effects, such as nausea, stomach upset, or reduced effectiveness of the medication.
This is because a troche contains active ingredients that are intended to be absorbed through the mouth, not the stomach.
Depending on the type of medication, a troche may also contain fillers, binders, sweeteners, or preservatives that may affect your digestion or metabolism.
The active ingredients in a troche can have different effects on your body depending on the dose, the route of administration, and your individual response.
For example, hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone can affect your mood, energy, libido, and reproductive health.
Vitamins and minerals can affect your immune system, bone health, and blood pressure.
Other medications can affect your pain, inflammation, or infection.
It is quite uncommon to swallow a troche due to its size and shape.
However, some people may find it difficult to keep the troche in their mouth for 15 to 30 minutes until it dissolves completely.
Some people may also forget that they have a troche in their mouth and accidentally swallow it with food or drink.
You can contact your healthcare provider if you swallow a troche and have any questions or concerns.
They can advise you on whether you need to take another dose of the medication or monitor your symptoms for any adverse reactions.
You can also ask them for alternative ways of administering the medication if you find troches inconvenient or uncomfortable.
To avoid accidental swallowing of a troche, you can place the troche under your tongue or between your cheek and gums, as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist.
Also, move the position of the troche to a different part of your mouth every few minutes to help improve absorption.
Do not eat or drink anything while the troche is in your mouth.
Finally, remember, a troche is a convenient and effective way of delivering medication through the mouth. However, it is not suitable for everyone and may require some adjustments to use properly.
Always follow your doctor’s or pharmacist’s instructions on how to use troches and report any side effects or problems you encounter.