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Dr. Mefloquine‐Induced Eosinophilic Pneumonia
Author(s) -
Katsenos Stamatis,
Psathakis Kostas,
Nikolopoulou Melita I.,
Constantopoulos Stavros H.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1592/phco.27.12.1767
Subject(s) - mefloquine , eosinophilic pneumonia , medicine , eosinophilia , pulmonary eosinophilia , pneumonia , malaria , adverse effect , chloroquine , eosinophilic , surgery , intensive care medicine , lung , pathology , respiratory disease , bronchoalveolar lavage
Mefloquine has been widely used for prophylaxis and treatment of patients with chloroquine‐resistant malaria; the drug is usually well tolerated. Rarely, adverse effects may be severe, including gastrointestinal disturbances, neuropsychiatric reactions, cardiovascular manifestations, skin lesions, musculoskeletal symptoms, and bone marrow toxicity. We describe a 67‐year‐old woman with fever, dyspnea on exertion, peripheral blood eosinophilia, and diffuse pulmonary infiltrates on chest radiography. She had taken mefloquine for malaria prophylaxis for an 8‐week trip to South Africa. A thorough work‐up led to the diagnosis of eosinophilic pneumonia caused by the mefloquine. Her condition improved after the drug was discontinued. To our knowledge, this is the first report of mefloquine‐induced eosinophilic pneumonia. Clinicians should be aware of this rare, potential adverse effect of mefloquine.