Eosinophilic Pneumonia Induced by Medications: An Analysis of Real-World Data from FAERS and Vigibase Identifying Safety Signals and Risk Trends

By
Jing Hu
Yao Sun
Cong Cheng
Sisi Wang
Xiangrong Zuo
Yun Liu
April 22, 2026
0 min

Frontiers In Medicine

Overview

This study identifies 15,374 cases of drug-induced eosinophilic pneumonia (EP) using FAERS and Vigibase databases, highlighting significant safety signals associated with specific medications. The findings emphasize the importance of early drug discontinuation and corticosteroid therapy in managing EP.

Background

Eosinophilic pneumonia is a rare but serious lung condition that can be triggered by medications, leading to significant morbidity. Understanding the drug-related risk factors is crucial for timely diagnosis and management, as misdiagnosis can lead to severe complications. This study provides valuable real-world data to enhance clinical awareness and safety monitoring.

Data Highlights

{'Daptomycin': {'Reports (FAERS)': 1377, 'Odds Ratio (OR)': 12.5, '95% Confidence Interval (CI)': '9.40–16.75'}, 'Pembrolizumab': {'Reports (FAERS)': 1070, 'Odds Ratio (OR)': 'N/A', '95% Confidence Interval (CI)': 'N/A'}, 'Durvalumab': {'Reports (FAERS)': 'N/A', 'Odds Ratio (OR)': 5.17, '95% Confidence Interval (CI)': '3.74–7.14'}, 'Fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan': {'Reports (FAERS)': 'N/A', 'Odds Ratio (OR)': 4.86, '95% Confidence Interval (CI)': '3.32–7.04'}, 'Idelalisib': {'Reports (FAERS)': 'N/A', 'Odds Ratio (OR)': 4.74, '95% Confidence Interval (CI)': '3.13–7.07'}, 'Osimertinib': {'Reports (FAERS)': 'N/A', 'Odds Ratio (OR)': 3.21, '95% Confidence Interval (CI)': '2.11–4.79'}}

Key Findings

A total of 15,374 cases of drug-induced eosinophilic pneumonia were identified in FAERS.
The highest incidence of EP was observed in individuals aged 45 to 64 years (24.1%).
35.4% of affected patients required hospitalization due to EP.
Daptomycin was associated with the highest odds ratio for EP (OR 12.50).
Time-to-onset analysis indicated that EP typically manifests early after drug exposure.
Multivariable modeling identified higher body weight, advancing age, and polypharmacy as risk factors for EP.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should be vigilant for eosinophilic pneumonia in patients receiving medications known to be associated with this condition. Early recognition and discontinuation of the offending drug, along with corticosteroid therapy, are essential for improving patient outcomes.

Conclusion

This study underscores the importance of pharmacovigilance in identifying drug-induced eosinophilic pneumonia and provides a framework for clinical management to enhance patient safety.