[Doxycycline esophagitis and esophageal ulcer]

Four cases of acute doxycycline injury of the esophageal mucosa--acute catarrhal doxycycline esophagitis and acute doxycycline ulcer are presented. The pathogenesis, clinical course, endoscopic pattern, prophylaxis and treatment of these complications of doxycycline treatment are discussed in detail. The gastroesophageal and duodenogastric reflux, which are most often the result of functional failure of the lower esophageal sphincter, are pointed out as the basic pathogenetic mechanism of the esophageal mucosa injury in oral doxycycline treatment.