Eosinophilic pneumonia medical therapy

Medical treatment of eosinophilic pneumonia include supportive care with supplemental oxygen, empiric antibiotics until culture results are available, and systemic glucocorticoid therapy, systemic glucocorticoids for almost all patients except those with clear evidence of an improving course. Prednisone is the preferred drug of choice. Dose of 40 to 60 mg daily is reasonable. Glucocorticoid tapering over 7 to 14 days may be an acceptable for patients who present with initial eosinophilia. If a patient fails to respond to glucocorticoids, an alternative diagnosis should be used such as subcutaneous interferon, high-dose intravenous immunoglobulins, plasma exchange. Relapse can be treated with a dose of 20 mg per day of prednisone.

• Initial management of acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) usually includes:
• Supportive care with supplemental oxygen
• Empiric antibiotics until culture results are available, and systemic glucocorticoid therapy^[1]
• Most patients with AEP experience progressive respiratory failure without systemic glucocorticoid therapy, but improve rapidly (within 12 to 48 hours) in response to intravenous or oral glucocorticoid therapy.^[2]
• Systemic glucocorticoids for almost all patients except those with clear evidence of an improving course.
• Prednisone is the preferred drug of choice. Dose of 40 to 60 mg daily is reasonable.
• In the presence of severe hypoxemia or respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, methylprednisolone (60 to 125 mg every six hours) is given until respiratory failure resolves.^[3]
• Glucocorticoid tapering over 7 to 14 days may be an acceptable for patients who present with initial eosinophilia.
• A longer treatment course up to four weeks of prednisone may occasionally be required in patients who experienced severe respiratory failure with delayed resolution of symptoms.
• If a patient fails to respond to glucocorticoids, an alternative diagnosis should be used:
• Subcutaneous interferon
• High-dose intravenous immunoglobulins
• Plasma exchange
• Cyclosporine
• Rituximab
• Relapse can be treated with a dose of 20 mg per day of prednisone.
• A favorable response to glucocorticoid therapy is typically defined by:^[4]
• Resolution of presenting symptoms
• Decline in peripheral eosinophilia
• Marked reduction of radiographic abnormalities
• Improved pulmonary function tests evidenced by forced vital capacity (FVC), total lung capacity (TLC), diffusing capacity (DLCO), and pulse oxygen saturation.

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