American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

Pill-induced esophagitis can commonly be associated with which of the following medications?

1. Atorvastatin

2. Alendronate

3. Amlodipine

4. Ibuprofen

The correct answer is: Alendronate

Pill-induced esophagitis occurs when a medication causes irritation or damage to the esophagus, typically due to inadequate swallowing or prolonged contact of the pill with the esophagus. Alendronate, a bisphosphonate used in the treatment of osteoporosis, is well-known for its association with this condition. Alendronate can cause esophageal irritation and is often recommended to be taken with a full glass of water while the patient remains upright for at least 30 minutes after administration. This helps ensure that the medication reaches the stomach quickly and minimizes contact with the esophageal lining, which could lead to inflammation or ulceration. While other medications can potentially cause esophageal irritation, they are less commonly associated with this specific condition compared to alendronate. Atorvastatin, although it may have gastrointestinal side effects, is not typically linked to esophagitis. Amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, does not have a direct association with esophageal irritation. Ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, may cause gastrointestinal irritation, but it is not commonly recognized as a cause of pill-induced esophagitis in the manner that alendronate is. Thus, the primary reason al