2. Some antibiotics
What they are: drugs used to fight and treat bacterial infections
example: Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid)
What you need to know: Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic commonly prescribed to treat and prevent urinary tract infections. The drug can cause interstitial lung disease, but the reaction is rare and occurs in about 1 percent of patients. the study was announced on Respiratory case report.
3. Heart medicine
What they are: Drugs used to prevent and treat various forms of heart disease
example: Beta blocker, amiodarone
What you need to know: Beta-blockers prescribed to treat high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation (AFib), and heart failure can cause airways to narrow in people with underlying conditions like asthma or COPD. Amiodarone is commonly used to treat irregular heartbeats such as atrial fibrillation and is the drug most commonly associated with lung problems. Studies suggest that DIILD affects up to 2 percent of people taking low doses of amiodarone. It occurs more often in men, and people with pre-existing lung disease may be more susceptible.
4. Cancer treatment
What they are: chemotherapy drugs
example: Any chemotherapy drug can harm the lungs, but the most commonly implicated are bleomycin, carmustine, busulfan, and cyclophosphamide.
What you need to know: Research suggests that anticancer drugs are the most common cause of DIILD. Experts acknowledge that it is difficult to pinpoint a specific cause in oncology because drugs are given in combination therapy or in conjunction with radiation therapy, and radiation itself may cause lung damage or Associated with scarring.
5. Antirheumatic drugs
What they are: Rheumatoid arthritis treatment, psoriasis treatment
example: Methotrexate
What you need to know: Methotrexate can cause acute inflammation of the lungs and lung problems such as DIILD, Wu says, but the same is true for some conditions methotrexate treats, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
“In many cases, it's difficult to know whether you're dealing with the natural course of the disease or whether the medication is causing the problem,” Schachter says. “In most cases, there is no single test that can tell you that this is a toxic reaction to a specific drug.”
What can patients do?
All medications come with side effects, so whenever you start using a new medication, it's important to ask your healthcare provider what the possible effects are so that you can discuss the risks and benefits together. .
Although this is not always the case, your doctor may be able to prescribe an alternative medication that does not have the same side effects.
“Especially if you're susceptible to lung damage, you should ask about lung toxicity and potential symptoms to be aware of,” Schacter says. And if you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor.
