Oesophageal injury suspected to be due to doxycycline ingestion

Abstract

Doxycycline induced oesophageal injury (DIEI) has contributed to 27% of the global burden of drug induced oesophageal injury. We report 21 cases of DIEI detected over a one year period.

Cases were defined as sudden onset – chest pain, dysphagia and odynophagia within a few hours to days after taking doxycycline, confirmed by UGIE, with improvement on withdrawal of doxycycline. The majority was in the 20 - 30 year age group and was female. The commonest symptoms were dysphagia and odynophagia. The mean time to symptoms from ingestion of doxycycline was 2.5 days. Majority of ulcers were in the mid oesophagus. Our case series highlights a preventable adverse drug reaction, which may have been avoided by giving simple advice to the patient.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cmj.v56i4.3897  

Ceylon Medical Journal 2011; 56: 162-163