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Levetiracetam-induced eosinophilic pneumonia.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

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Authors

Fagan, Aisling 

Abstract

Levetiracetam is widely regarded as a benign antiepileptic drug, compared to older antiepileptic medication. We report a case of eosinophilic pneumonia due to levetiracetam use in a non-smoking woman aged 59 years with no previous respiratory history. Our patient presented with exertional breathlessness and marked desaturation on exertion. She displayed 'reverse bat-wing' infiltrates on her chest radiograph and peripheral eosinophilia on a complete blood count. Her symptoms, radiology and peripheral eosinophilia resolved completely with cessation of levetiracetam and a course of prednisolone. This is the first report of isolated eosinophilic pneumonia due to levetiracetam. Other reports of levetiracetam-induced eosinophilia describe drug rash, eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS syndrome). Detection of pulmonary drug reactions requires a careful drug history and high index of suspicion. Identifying and reporting a causative agent is crucially important, as cessation of the drug is essential for resolution of the syndrome.

Description

Keywords

Female, Humans, Levetiracetam, Middle Aged, Piracetam, Prednisolone, Pulmonary Eosinophilia, Treatment Outcome

Journal Title

BMJ Case Rep

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1757-790X
1757-790X

Volume Title

2017

Publisher

BMJ

Rights

All rights reserved