Pill-induced esophageal ulcer.

Abstract

We describe nine cases of esophageal injury associated with the ingestion of prescribed medications. Antibiotics were the most commonly implicated drugs. Odynophagia, retrosternal chest pain and dysphagia were the usual presenting symptoms. The typical endoscopic finding was that of discrete ulcers in the mid-esophagus. All patients recovered uneventfully with discontinuation of the offending drug and symptomatic treatment. Drug induced esophageal injury should be considered in patients presenting acutely with the above mentioned symptoms and having discrete esophageal ulcers on endoscopy.