Solutions & prevention
Medicines for Choking
When something blocks the airway and stops normal breathing — a life-threatening emergency where quick first aid (back blows and abdominal thrusts) can save a life.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Choking?
Choking happens when an object — often food, or a small item in young children — becomes stuck in the throat or airway and blocks breathing. It is a life-threatening emergency, as the person cannot get enough air.
- How it is treated: If someone is choking but can still cough, encourage them to keep coughing to try to clear the blockage, and stay with them.
- Self-care: Prevention: cut food into small pieces for young children, supervise them eating, keep small objects and button batteries out of reach, eat slowly and avoid talking or laughing with a full mouth.
- When to seek help: For severe choking (cannot breathe, speak or cough), give back blows and abdominal thrusts immediately and call 999 if it does not clear; start CPR if the person becomes unconscious.
What it is
Choking happens when an object — often food, or a small item in young children — becomes stuck in the throat or airway and blocks breathing. It is a life-threatening emergency, as the person cannot get enough air. In a mild blockage, the person can still cough, speak or breathe, and coughing may clear it. In a severe blockage, the person cannot breathe, speak, cough or cry, may clutch at their throat, go red then blue, and will quickly become distressed and, if not helped, lose consciousness. Choking is more common in young children (who put objects in their mouths and are still learning to chew) and in older adults, and can happen to anyone eating too quickly, talking or laughing while eating, or with certain medical conditions. Knowing what to do can be the difference between life and death, so basic choking first aid is worth learning.
How it is treated
If someone is choking but can still cough, encourage them to keep coughing to try to clear the blockage, and stay with them. If the blockage is severe and they cannot breathe, speak or cough, act immediately: for an adult or child over one, give up to five sharp back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of the hand (leaning them forwards), and if that fails, give up to five abdominal thrusts (standing behind them, hands clasped below the ribcage, pulling sharply inwards and upwards); alternate five back blows and five abdominal thrusts, and call 999 if it does not clear. For a baby under one, the technique is different — using back blows and chest thrusts, not abdominal thrusts. If the person becomes unconscious, start CPR and continue until help arrives. After a serious choking episode, or if abdominal thrusts were used, medical assessment is advised. Learning these steps (for example on a first aid course) prepares people to respond quickly. Prevention includes cutting food small for young children and keeping small objects out of reach.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Choking
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Prevention: cut food into small pieces for young children, supervise them eating, keep small objects and button batteries out of reach, eat slowly and avoid talking or laughing with a full mouth. Learning choking first aid (on a first aid course) prepares you to respond quickly.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
For severe choking (cannot breathe, speak or cough), give back blows and abdominal thrusts immediately and call 999 if it does not clear; start CPR if the person becomes unconscious. Seek medical assessment after a serious episode or if abdominal thrusts were used. For a choking baby, use back blows and chest thrusts (not abdominal thrusts).
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Choking: frequently asked questions
What should I do if an adult is choking and cannot breathe?
Give up to five sharp back blows between the shoulder blades, then up to five abdominal thrusts, alternating them, and call 999 if it does not clear. If the person becomes unconscious, start CPR. For a baby under one, use back blows and chest thrusts instead.
When should someone still cough rather than have first aid?
If the blockage is mild and the person can still cough, speak or breathe, encourage them to keep coughing to clear it, and stay with them. Back blows and abdominal thrusts are for severe choking where they cannot breathe.
Keep reading
Related articles
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Choking / first aid
- Resuscitation Council UK guidance
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