Eosinophilic Pneumonia and Respiratory Failure Associated With a Trazodone Overdose

Abstract

Drug-induced eosinophilic lung disease commonly presents as a simple pulmonary eosinophilia-like syndrome consisting of transient pulmonary infiltrates, peripheral eosinophilia, and mild pulmonary symptoms that disappear promptly upon withdrawal of the offending medication. However, a more fulminant presentation most resembling acute eosinophilic pneumonia has been recently described. We present a patient with BAL-confirmed eosinophilic pneumonia (EP) and respiratory failure after a trazodone overdose. This is the first case of EP associated with trazodone and only the third drug-mediated EP reported to precipitate respiratory failure.