Pulmonary reactions to drugs

Abstract

Reactions to drugs may take many forms, most commonly skin and gastrointestinal reactions. Often forgotten are the pulmonary toxic effects, which can be devastating. Unfortunately, treatment of many of these iatrogenically produced diseases is unsatisfactory. Supportive pulmonary care and corticosteroids, in some cases, are the major modalities of therapy. The physician must be aware of the serious pulmonary consequences of many commonly used agents. Judicious use of these drugs coupled with careful pulmonary monitoring will prevent serious toxicity.