Table 1.

Drugs reported to cause problems in the oesophagus, together with their proposed mechanisms

Presentation	Putative mechanisms	Drugs commonly reported
Pill oesophagitis	Hold-up in clearance of the pill from the oesophagitis Caustic injury of locally released drug	Tetracyclines Bisphosphonates Potassium chloride NSAIDs Iron
Gastroesophageal reflux	Lower oesophageal sphincter pressure	Nitrates Calcium channel antagonists Dopamine/dopaminergic agents Anticholinergics (eg, tricyclic antidepressants, hyoscine, propantheline) Progesterone Methylxanthines (caffeine, theophylline) Progesterone Alcohol
Dysphagia	Inhibit striated muscle function	Antipsychotics (dopamine antagonist); often associated with parkinsonism Alcohol
	Inhibit smooth muscle function	Anticholinergics (eg, tricyclic antidepressants, hyoscine, propantheline) Calcium channel blockers Theophylline Alcohol
	Cause xerostomia	Anticholinergics (eg, tricyclic antidepressants, hyoscine, propantheline) Opiates Antipsychotics Antihistamines Clonidine

NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.