Desipramine*

Pulmonary interstitial eosinophilia: first report A 39-year-old woman, who had been treated with desipramine 25-ISOmg for depression, developed progressive shortness of breath, low grade fever, palpitations, headache, diarrhoea and weakness, Chest x-ray showed diffuse patchy infiltrates and the WBC count was 23,200 with 34% eosinophils, A presumptive diagnosis of pulmonary interstitial eosinophilia was made. Desipramine was withdrawn and 60mg IV methylprednisone administered. The next day, the patient's respiratory status was considerably improved. Methylprednisone was subsequently discontinued and was replaced with prednisone 20mg and cimetidine 300mg. The patient's condition continued to improve and she was discharged on day 5, on prednisone 20mg qid. Desipramine-induced pulmonary interstitial eosinophilia has not been previously reported. but there has been 1 report of desipramine-induced eosinophilia. Mutmck., ,\.. and S(nr.e)We~'S.'S.\ f:. Drug ~'I'I\e\h&e-nce and ClinICal Ph.m,.,) 16 966 (Dec 19~2)

0157.7271 (83(0114.0005/0$01.00/0 ~ ADIS Press Reactions 14 Jan 1983 5