Esophageal ulcer development after a single dose of Doxycycline: a case report

Abstract

Although it is not so frequent in medical literature, drug-induced esophageal ulcer is important due to its possible complications. Doxycycline can cause esophagial irritation if not taken with sufficient water or just before going to sleep. In this case report, a 24 year-old female patient who had been prescribed doxycyline for acne is presented. She was admitted with retrosternal pain and dysphagia which had started after taking the first oral dose of the drug. Endoscopic examination showed superficial ulcerations in the area of 2 cm of the mid esophagus. Based on the endoscopic findings, the patient was diagnosed as druginduced esophageal injury resulting from doxycycline treatment. Doxycycline treatment and oral intake were stopped. Intravenous fluid therapy, sucralfate and lansoprazole treatment were started. In the following days, the patient’s complaints disappeared gradually. As in our case, irrespective of the exposure duration, even after a single dose, esophageal ulcer may develop.