acute dysphagia

Q: 74 years old male while recovering from community-acquired pneumonia in ICU complained of food stuck in his esophagus at mid-chest (acute dysphagia). There is no shortness of breath and saturation stayed 100%. Which drug can be tried to relieve acute dysphagia before emergent endoscopy is called?

Answer: Glucagon

Intravenous glucagon relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter. This may prompt the food to pass in the stomach. The dose is 0.5 to 1-mg once. Patient may experience transient nausea. 

#GI

Reference:

Colon V, Grade A, Pulliam G, et al. Effect of doses of glucagon used to treat food impaction on esophageal motor function of normal subjects. Dysphagia 1999; 14:27.