Q. Which drug may cause melena as a side effect?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Melena is a type of gastrointestinal bleeding in which the blood turns black or dark maroon due to its passing through the digestive system. It may be caused by a range of medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen), aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin®), steroids such as prednisone or methylprednisolone (Medrol®), iron supplements and any medication that contains iron, some antibiotics such as amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium (Augmentin®), tetracyclines, quinolones such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro®) and levofloxacin(Levaquin®). In addition to medications, melena can also be caused by certain medical conditions like ulcers, tumors in the stomach or duodenum and liver diseases such as cirrhosis or hepatitis. The diagnosis is usually made after physical examination and testing including endoscopy with biopsies taken for laboratory analysis. Treatment depends on the cause but most often involves changing medication dosages or stopping certain medications that could lead to melena. If there is an underlying medical condition causing melena then those need to addressed accordingly for complete relief from symptoms which could include dietary adjustments too.
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