Abstract
Dysphagia is commonly defined as difficulty swallowing. Although the disorder can have several causes, the patient's medication is often overlooked as a source of the problem. This type of dysphagia, one of the most readily corrected, is known as drug-induced dysphagia. A thorough literature search was undertaken to determine the potential for drug-induced dysphagia.
Drug-induced dysphagia can be classified into one of three categories: dysphagia as a side effect, dysphagia as a complication of therapeutic action, and medication-induced esophageal injury. Examples of medications in each category are provided based on therapeutic classification. Specifically, the role of dysphagia in multiple sclerosis and the agents that have been linked with dysphagia are discussed.
The most valuable method of preventing drug-induced dysphagia is obtaining a thorough and accurate medication history from each patient. Other prevention strategies and compensatory techniques are also explored.
