A case of pneumonitis induced by the inhalation of N-acetylcysteine
Ryo Okuda Shouko Wada Tomohiro Ohba Takashi Koide Masako Amano Hidekazu Matsushima
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Saitama Red Cross Hospital
A 68-year-old man with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis initiated inhaled N-acetylcysteine monotherapy. Ten days after the start of therapy, fever, nasal discharge, and new ground-glass opacities were observed. Drug-induced pneumonia was suspected because the reaction to the prednisolone pulse therapy was too good for an acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. After a drug provocation test was performed, allergic reactions (fever, nasal discharge, and ground-glass opacities) were observed. Following discontinuation of inhaled N-acetylcysteine, the symptoms and ground-glass opacities improved. Based on the clinical course and available data, this patient was diagnosed as having pneumonitis induced by the inhalation of N-acetylcysteine. This report might be the first description of pneumonitis induced by the inhalation of N-acetylcysteine.
N-acetylcysteine Interstitial pneumonia Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis Drug-induced pneumonitis Drug provocation test
Received 23 Oct 2013 / Accepted 20 Nov 2013
AJRS, 3(2): 300-303, 2014