Drug-Induced Lung Disease

¹ Chief, Pulmonary Disease Service, Walter Reed General Hospital, Washington, D. C.

The clinical and roentgenographic features of the major drug-induced pulmonary reactions are reviewed. In most instances, a correct clinical diagnosis can be made if the physician is knowledgeable of the drugs which have been implicated in the physician is knowledgeable of the drugs which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of drug-induced lung reactions and recognizes the characteristic clinical and roentgenographic features present in each case. Discontinuation of the offending drug will result in resolution of lung disease in some cases. Administration of steroids may be of added benefit in selected cases. In those instances in which irreversible pathologic changes have already occurred, further deterioration of lung function may be prevented.