Drug-Induced Dysphagia Resources & Safe Practices

By: Karen Sheffler

February 2, 2016

Drug-Induced Dysphagia Resources & Tips

by Karen Sheffler, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S of SwallowStudy.com

Difficulty swallowing can be caused directly by a medication or as an indirect consequence of the side effects. Side effects can be from one medications, combinations of medications, or due to polypharmacy (taking more than 5 medications). For example, the side effects of dry mouth, confusion and lethargy can all lead to difficulty eating and swallowing.

Here are resources on SwallowStudy.com and beyond to help you be an active member of the medical team, whether you are a nurse, a rehabilitation professional, the patient, or the family.

Did you know that if you crush a medication and put it into a thickened liquid, you may seriously limit the amount of that medication available to your body?

Did you know there are certain medications that cannot be crushed?

Check out these drug-induced dysphagia resources:

Many references and other resources are included within these blog posts and links.