Drug-induced inflammation: A review of literature

Abstract

This review examines how various medications can trigger inflammation throughout the body. It explores causes, ranging from common pain relievers like NSAIDs to chemotherapy drugs. The review also highlights potential treatments, including established medications and promising new therapies. Physicians and patients can work together to reduce this risk by understanding these causes and implementing preventive measures, such as monitoring for side effects and using alternative medications when possible. Drug-induced inflammation can be categorized into four types based on the immune response involved. Symptoms vary by type and affected organ. Common symptoms include fever, malaise, joint pain, rash, and swelling. Diagnosis involves blood tests, imaging, and biopsies. Treatment primarily involves discontinuing the suspected drug and providing supportive care. The development of new drugs and therapies has made diagnosis challenging. However, recent advances in biomarkers and genetic risk assessment techniques are improving diagnosis and risk assessment of drug-induced liver injury. Preventive measures for drug-induced inflammation include monitoring for side effects, using alternative medications, developing new drug delivery methods, exploring new anti-inflammatory drugs, being aware of rare side effects, and understanding the underlying mechanisms.