Danazol-induced Acute Pulmonary Fibrosis in a Patient with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: Could Anti Fibrosant Therapy be Useful?

Introduction: Danazol is frequently used in the treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Very occasionally are described in the elderly fatal respiratory complications related to this drug such as acute pulmonary fibrosis for which no treatment has proven to be effective.

Presentation of Case: We describe a case of an old man with ITP treated with danazol who developed a pulmonary fibrosing disease not attributed to any other cause. Damaged lung reversed using an anti fibrosant therapy approved for other types of pulmonary fibrosing diseases.

Discussion and Conclusion: Pulmonary fibrosing disease attributed to danazol is a condition refractory to systemic corticosteroids, but as shown in the present case, an anti fibrosant therapy has proven to be a useful alternative and could be recommended in the light of current knowledge.