Drug-induced oesophageal lesions.

Persisting retrosternal pain of sudden onset is suggestive of a drug-induced oesophageal lesion, particularly if it starts at night. After exclusion of a myocardial infarction, a carefully taken history and oesophagoscopy will rapidly clarify the cause and severity of the injury. Since almost any pill may produce oesophageal lesions, care has to be taken that tablets, capsules and other pills are always taken in an upright position together with a fluid chaser of at least 120 ml. If possible, less harmful liquid preparations of the drugs should be preferred. Lesions in the oesophageal wall and perioesophageal tissue are almost unavoidable side-effects of sclerotherapy of oesophageal varices. The patient and the doctor should be particularly aware of bleeding from oesophageal ulcers during the first week after sclerotherapy. Numerous drugs may weaken or strengthen contractions of the oesophagus and lower oesophageal sphincter. These potentially unwanted motor effects of the drugs have to be kept in mind, especially in patients with pre-existing gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and hypermotility states.