The Drug-Induced Respiratory Disease Website and App

Pill (aspirated)

Aspirated pills containing active drug ingredients (alcali (PMID 26878260), drugs or metals (e.g. iron) may cause severe airway injury known as the 'Pill Aspiration Syndrome'. Release of iron sulfate or other drugs from aspirated tablets can cause caustic airway or esophageal injury. On histopathology, the iron can be evidenced using special stains. Alendronate, sucralfate and metformine may cause similar problems. Reviews and causative drug pills at PMID 23918109 & 25560862

Frequency - Incidence

Incidence of respiratory adverse event(s) due to the specific drug as assessed by number of reported/published cases in the literature. Red digits in stars indicate: 0 = Very rare, questionable signal · 1 = < 10 cases · 2 = 10-50 cases · 3 = 50–100 cases · 4 = 100-200 cases · 5 = >200 cases

Evidence level/grade

Evidence level for respiratory adverse event(s) due to the specific drug as estimated using Hill’s (1965), Naranjo’s (1981), and Bégaud’s (1985) criteria applied to published cases. Blue digits in stars indicate: 0 = Questionable · 1 = Low · 2 = Moderate · 3 = Robust · 4 = Definite · 5 = Unquestionable, pathognomonic