Editorial

Drug-induced Respiratory Disease: “The Great Mimicker”

Authors: Steven M. Koenig, MD, FCCP

Abstract

Over 380 agents are known to cause drug-induced respiratory disease (DIRD), and the list continues to grow.1 Moreover, because this list includes agents utilized by a variety of specialists and subspecialists, no area of medicine is immune. To minimize the potential morbidity and mortality from DIRD, it behooves all physicians to be familiar with the potential pulmonary reactions to the medications they prescribe.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. Foucher P, Camus P. Pneumotox. Available at: http://www.pneumotox.com. Accessed on March 25, 2007.
 
2. Oliner H, Schwartz R, Rubio F, et al. Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis following busulfan therapy. Am J Med 1961;31:134–139.
 
3. Ahmed, et al. All-trans retinoic acid syndrome: another cause of drug-induced respiratory failure.South Med J 2007;100:899–902.
 
4. Frankel SR, Eardley A, Heller G, et al. All-trans retinoic acid for acute promyelocytic leukemia. Results of the New York Study. Ann Intern Med 1994;120:278–286.
 
5. Tallman MS, Andersen JW, Schiffer CA, et al. All-trans-retinoic acid in acute promyelocytic leukemia. New Engl J Med 1997;337:1021–1028.
 
6. Larson RS, Tallman MS. Retinoic acid syndrome: manifestations, pathogenesis, and treatment. Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2003;16:453–461.
 
7. Tallman MS, Andersen JW, Schiffer CA, et al. Clinical description of 44 patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia who developed the retinoic acid syndrome. Blood 2000;95:90–95.
 
8. Fenaux P, Chastang C, Chevret S, et al. A randomized comparison of all transretinoic acid (ATRA) followed by chemotherapy and ATRA plus chemotherapy and the role of maintenance therapy in newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia. The European APL Group. Blood 1999;94:1192–1200.
 
9. Astudillo L, Loche F, Reynish W, et al. Sweet's syndrome associated with retinoic acid syndrome in a patient with promyelocytic leukemia. Ann Hematol 2002;81:111–114.
 
10. Firkin F, Matthews J, Bradstock K. A phase II study of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) with prednisone prophylaxis in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) Blood 1999;94:228b.
 
11. de Botton S, Dombret H, Sanz M, et al. Incidence, clinical features, and outcome of all trans-retinoic acid syndrome in 413 cases of newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia. The European APL Group. Blood 1998;92:2712–2718.