Related Experiment Videos
Esophageal ulcer and alendronate
A P Ferrari Júnior1, S H Domingues
1Division of Gastroenterology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina, Brazil. angelo@gastro.epm.br
Summary
Alendronate use can cause esophageal ulcers, even with a hiatal hernia. Promptly suspending the drug is crucial for healing and managing dyspeptic symptoms in patients taking bisphosphonates.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Alendronate is a bisphosphonate commonly prescribed for osteoporosis.
- Esophageal injury is a known potential side effect of bisphosphonate therapy.
Observation:
- A case of esophageal ulceration was observed in a patient using alendronate.
- The presence of a hiatal hernia complicated the initial diagnosis, masking the drug's association with the esophageal lesions.
- Lesions persisted despite aggressive anti-reflux treatment, raising suspicion of an alternative etiology.
Findings:
- The esophageal ulcer healed rapidly after the discontinuation of alendronate.
- This case highlights the importance of considering drug-induced esophagitis in patients with unexplained esophageal symptoms.
Implications:
- Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for alendronate-induced esophageal injury in patients presenting with dyspeptic symptoms.
- Diagnostic investigation, including drug cessation, is warranted to identify and manage alendronate-related esophageal ulcers.
- This case adds to the limited literature on alendronate-associated esophageal ulcers, emphasizing the need for careful patient monitoring.