Pleurotoxic Drugs —an Update: Someone Else to Blame?

AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo provide an updated summary of the pleurotoxic drugs and their manifestations.Recent FindingsNovel antineoplastic agents for the treatment of hematologic and non-hematologic malignancies have been associated with the induction of pleural disorders. Moreover, the list of agents that have been associated with drug-induced lupus pleuritis is steadily increasing.SummaryPleurotoxic medications are agents that may cause pleural disorders, most commonly pleural effusions. Connecting a pleural disorder to a specific drug requires the exclusion of other potential causes combined with resolution of the disorder after drug discontinuation while previous literature reports on similar cases may be of assistance. The incorporation of new therapies into clinical practice over the last few years has exposed medical professionals to areas devoid of a historic evidence base. Thus, drug-induced pleurotoxicity should be always included in the diagnostic approach to the patient with a pleural effusion.
Source: Current Respiratory Care Reports - Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research