Drug-induced pulmonary disease is lung disease brought on by a bad reaction to a medication.
Many types of lung injury can result from medications. It is usually impossible to predict who will develop lung disease from a medication or drug.
The types of lung problems or diseases that may be caused by medications include:
Many drugs are known to cause lung disease in some people, including:
Note: Symptoms may vary from person to person.
The doctor will perform a physical exam and listen to your chest and lungs with a stethoscope. Abnormal breath sounds may be heard.
Tests that may be done include:
The first step is to stop the drug that is causing the problem. Other treatments depend on your specific symptoms. For instance, you may need oxygen until the drug-induced lung disease improves. Powerful anti-inflammatory medicines called steroids are sometimes used and may quickly reverse the lung inflammation.
Some drug-induced lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis, may never go away.
Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of this disorder.
Note any past reaction you have had to a medication, so that you can avoid the medication in the future. Wear a medical allergy bracelet if you have known drug reactions. Avoid the abuse of illegal drugs to prevent many drug-induced lung diseases.
Maldonado F, Limper AH. Drug-induced pulmonary disease. In: Mason RJ, Broaddus VC, Martin TR, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 72.
Raghu G. Interstitial lung disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 92.