Drug-induced pulmonary disease.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To review some of the types of drug-induced pulmonary disease reported in Australia. DATA SOURCES: Reports of pulmonary side effects made to the Australian Adverse Drug Reaction Advisory Committee between December 1972 and March 1991. Reports of drug-induced pulmonary disease from other countries are also reviewed. STUDY SELECTION: Only reports involving large patient numbers are included in the review to limit the bias likely from limited patient numbers. DATA EXTRACTION: The incidence of adverse responses to a range of commonly used drugs from other countries is compared with reports to the Australian Adverse Drug Reaction Advisory Committee in the last 19 years. DATA SYNTHESIS: Of adverse drug reactions reported in Australia in the last 19 years 7.7% were of a pulmonary side effect and 55% of these involved a syndrome of airway dysfunction. Bronchospasm and cough were the two most common symptoms of airway dysfunction and beta-blocking drugs and radio contrast media were the drug groups most commonly reported to cause them. These figures are similar to data reported from other countries. Some of the more commonly occurring types of drug-induced disease affecting either the airways or the lung interstices are reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Medical practitioners should maintain a high index of clinical suspicion that any unexplained pulmonary disease could be caused by a drug. Most of these reactions are reversible if the drug is withdrawn in time and if additional appropriate measures are taken as required.