Acute Eosinophilic Pneumonia Associated with Amitriptyline in a Hemodialysis Patient.
10.3349/ymj.2001.42.3.357
- Author:
Hyunjin NOH
1
;
Young Kyu LEE
;
Shin Wook KANG
;
Kyu Hun CHOI
;
Dae Suk HAN
;
Ho Yung LEE
Author Information
1. Institute of Kidney Disease, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Amitriptyline;
eosinophilic pneumonia;
hemodialysis
- MeSH:
Acute Disease;
Adult;
Amitriptyline/*adverse effects;
Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic/*adverse effects;
Female;
Human;
Pulmonary Eosinophilia/*etiology;
*Renal Dialysis
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal
2001;42(3):357-359
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Drugs are well known causes of eosinophilic lung disease. In many patients, drug-induced eosinophilic lung disease presents with transient eosinophilic infiltrates that disappear after discontinuation of the drug. Some patients, however, experience a fulminant, acute eosinophilia-like disease. Recently, we experienced a case of amitriptyline-associated acute eosinophilic pneumonia with respiratory failure in a diabetic hemodialysis patient. Eight days after treatment with amitriptyline, sudden fever, chill, dry cough and dyspnea developed. Subsequently, multiple patch consolidations appeared on the chest radiographs. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), established a diagnosis of acute eosinophilic pneumonia. After immediate discontinuation of amitriptyline, a rapid clinical and radiological improvement was observed. The present case indicates that the possibility of acute eosinophilic pneumonia should be fully considered in dialysis patients developing unexplained respiratory symptoms while on amitriptyline therapy.
