Low dose cabergoline induced interstitial pneumonitis

Eur Respir J. 1999 Oct;14(4):968-70. doi: 10.1034/j.1399-3003.1999.14d40.x.

Abstract

Certain dopaminergic anti-Parkinson drugs (ergolines) have repeatedly been identified as a cause of pleuropulmonary disease with a focus on serosal cell damage. Recently, a pathogenetic link between ergolines and prior asbestos exposure was suggested, as regards the development of pleural pathology. This report describes a patient with idiopathic Parkinson's disease, who was on a multiple drug regimen including low dose cabergoline. The patient developed a febrile illness with widespread bilateral lung infiltrations nonresponsive to beta-lactam and macrolide antibiotics. Bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial lung biopsy showed a "hypersensitivity-like" interstitial lung disease, which cleared almost completely within 2 months after simple drug withdrawal. Circumstantial evidence suggests a so far undescribed adverse lung reaction to cabergoline, devoid of the more usual pleural changes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biopsy
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
  • Cabergoline
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Dopamine Agonists / adverse effects*
  • Ergolines / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / chemically induced*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / pathology
  • Male
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Dopamine Agonists
  • Ergolines
  • Cabergoline