Abstract
Drug-induced organ damage stands as a prevalent yet much-neglected issue globally. Keeping in view it’s rising frequency, health care providers stand obliged to be well versed with the de-merits of the agents they prescribe. Drug therapies causing damage present with a non-specific clinical presentation, histological findings or radiology, which further elaborates on the necessity of a conscientious diagnosis. Pulmonary architecture ranging from the airways, lung parenchyma, mediastinum, pleura, pulmonary vasculature or the neuromuscular system, all can fall victim to the dreaded outcomes of this menace. In order to establish successful diagnosis, the definite temporal relation between initiation of drug therapy and the development of the respiratory symptoms needs to be drawn. The most common form of pharmacologically arising lung toxicity is drug-induced pneumonitis or interstitial lung disease. Unfortunately, there is no adequate data available to review the extensiveness of this medication-associated risk in Pakistan which further highlights the necessity of carefully monitoring this overlooked yet assessable malady. Furthermore, identification and surveillance of this drug attributed peril shall help diminish burden on healthcare resources of the country. We present three recent cases of different types of drug-induced lung damage under treatment at our University Hospital.
Highlights
BackgroundDrug-induced organ damage presents as a common dilemma globally
We present three recent cases of different types of drug-induced lung damage under treatment at our University Hospital
As per a Swedish study, adverse drug reactions stand as the seventh most common cause of death in Sweden alone [1] whereas, in the UK, they account for 0.9% of total hospital admissions [2]
Summary
As per a Swedish study, adverse drug reactions stand as the seventh most common cause of death in Sweden alone [1] whereas, in the UK, they account for 0.9% of total hospital admissions [2]. To minimize the potential morbidity and mortality from the above-mentioned menace, it is required that all health care providers are well educated with respect to the possible life threatening effects of the medications they prescribe. This makes strict monitoring of drug therapy essential to ensure medicines remain healthfriendly and don’t oppose the purpose they have been formulated for. Various etiologies jeopardize the entire purpose of drug prescription; namely the inability to recognize damage, wrong dosage and even prescription of the inappropriate medicine
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