Esophagitis caused by oral medication.

Abstract

Three cases of esophagitis caused by oral medication are reported: 2 were the result of prolonged use of quinidine tablets (producing focal subacute inflammation mimicking carcinoma in one and stricture in the other) and one occurred soon after ingestion of liquid KCl. Previous reports have implicated KCl tablets ("slow KCl"), tetracycline and doxycycline capsules, and ferrous sulfate tablets. The factors predisposing to this uncommon complication of oral medication are discussed. In all reported cases caused by KCl tablets, left atrial enlargement was present as the result of mitral stenosis.