Clomethiazol tablets induce ulcers in the esophoagus

A 55 year old woman developed severe retrosternal pain and odynophagia four hours after taking a tablet of clomethiazol. Endoscopy revealed extensive ulceration of the upper esophagus 19-23 cm from the incisors. Esophageal manometry showed reduced contraction amplitudes in this area. The lesions healed rapidly after the medication was stopped, and the motility disturbances of the esophagus improved. Thus, clomethiazol tablets have to be included in the list of drugs which can damage the esophageal mucosa. This damage is probably due to the acid salt ethanedisulfonate of the clomethiazol tablets. Clomethiazol capsules are preferable since they do not appear to be harmful to the esophagus.