Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Tetracycline Damage
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/ Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
Tetracycline Damage
by Mumcy, Oct 08, 1999 12:00AM
Is it possible that irritation/damage caused by a long term problem with tetracycline capsules sticking in the esophagus could be diagnosed as Barrett's during endoscophy? Or could this souce of irritation cause Barrett's? I have stopped taking the tetracycline for rosacea but took it on & off for about ten+ years and always had a problem with it causing irritation. Now I am taking Prilosec and Propulsid but would like to stop if at all possible.
Doctor's Answer
by HFHSm.D.-Gastro-rf, Oct 26, 1999 12:00AM
Dear Mumcy,
There have been a number of articles describing esophageal inflammation due to medications. In brief, because of impaired movement through the esophagus (sometimes due to an esophageal stricture)pills will stick in the esophagus for an extended time. The release of medication (be it antibiotic or osteoporosis medication) will cause esophageal inflammation.
Usually, the esophageal changes are inflammatory. Barrett's esophagus ( a condition in which there is a change in the lining of the esophagus) has not been reported as a direct consequence of pill-induced esophagitis. There is, however, a possible connection between Barrett's and pills. In Barrett's esophagus, there is usually an underlying esophageal inflammation. This inflammation can be associated with delayed motility and therefore predispose to pill-induced eophagitis. Additionally, some patients with Barrett's can have esophageal strictures.
If there is a question of Barrett's esophagus, then you should receive treatment with acid suppression drugs and have an endoscopy after several weeks of therapy.
There have been a number of articles describing esophageal inflammation due to medications. In brief, because of impaired movement through the esophagus (sometimes due to an esophageal stricture)pills will stick in the esophagus for an extended time. The release of medication (be it antibiotic or osteoporosis medication) will cause esophageal inflammation.
Usually, the esophageal changes are inflammatory. Barrett's esophagus ( a condition in which there is a change in the lining of the esophagus) has not been reported as a direct consequence of pill-induced esophagitis. There is, however, a possible connection between Barrett's and pills. In Barrett's esophagus, there is usually an underlying esophageal inflammation. This inflammation can be associated with delayed motility and therefore predispose to pill-induced eophagitis. Additionally, some patients with Barrett's can have esophageal strictures.
If there is a question of Barrett's esophagus, then you should receive treatment with acid suppression drugs and have an endoscopy after several weeks of therapy.
Expert Activity
Related Expert Forums
Related Communities
so get off your own sofa chick!
who will advise??
Thank you