Antibiotic Stewardship in Patients With Acute Bronchitis: A Case Report of Doxycycline-Induced Esophagitis

Acute bronchitis is a self-limiting disease, characterized by mild constitutional symptoms and a cough lasting two to three weeks. The disease usually occurs secondary to viruses; therefore, only symptomatic and supportive care is advised for the patients. Despite the recommended guidelines, most patients are prescribed antibiotics. Here, we present a case of a 38-year-old female who presented to the hospital with a sudden onset of severe epigastric pain. The patient recently started a 10-day course of doxycycline for acute bronchitis. She was admitted, evaluated, and diagnosed with doxycycline-induced esophagitis, and managed accordingly. This report highlights how excessive use of antibiotics is leading to adverse effects, antibiotic resistance, increased health care costs, and invasive testing. It also emphasizes the importance of antibiotic stewardship.