Propylthiouracil-Induced Diffuse Interstitial Pneumonitis

• Cough productive of sputum, exertional dyspnea, and hypoxemia developed in two patients with Graves' disease after six months (patient 1) or three weeks (patient 2) of treatment with propylthiouracil, 300 mg/day. Chest roentgenograms and transbronchial lung biopsy specimens revealed diffuse interstitial pneumonitis. Lymphocyte transformation by phytohemagglutinin was highly stimulated by propylthiouracil. Symptoms and signs improved after cessation of the drug therapy and administration of prednisolone acetate. These cases represent the first report of a complication of diffuse interstitial pneumonitis induced by propylthiouracil. ( Arch Intern Med 1984;144:1764-1765)