Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease characterized by progressive obliteration of pulmonary arterioles, increaseof pressure in the pulmonary artery and pulmonary vascular resistance. These factors lead to overload of the right ventricle andits failure.
PAH is among others associated with the use of some drugs. For the first time, this relationship has been observedwith the use of anorexigens ( aminorex, fenfluramine and benfluorex).
These drugs were after withdrawn from the market for aconfirmed risk of PAH developing. Amphetamines, phentermine and mazindol have also been shown as the other drugs posinga risk of PAH induction and developing.
Although their direct connection with PAH induction has not been confirmed, they areconsidered to be dangerous. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, especially dasatinib (a dual BCR / ABL kinase and SRC kinases inhibitor)are associated with cases of severe PAH, partially reversible after discontinuation.
The cases of PAH following interferon therapyhave been reported in alpha and beta interferon. Several cases of PAH following the use of essential amino acid L-tryptophan inpatients suffered with the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome have been reported, but otherwise PAH have been observed also inpatients who did not have myalgia or eosinophilia.
Phenylpropanolamine (indicated to decongest mucous membranes ) causedthe death of a seven-years-old boy.This case supported the results of the SOPHIA study with the hypothesis of the risk of PAHin phenylpropanolamine users. Antiparkinsonic drug Pergolide was also withdrawn from the market for the proven risk of valvulopathyand due to potential association with PAH.
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may also cause persisting pulmonaryhypertension of newborns (PPHN). Many cases of PAH following the use of these drugs are published only as a case report, indicating individual sensitivity to the onset and development of PAH.
Larger studies would be needed to confirm the relationshipbetween the use of these drugs and PAH, which is problematic because PAH is a rare disease.