[Side effects of drugs on the respiratory tract: experiences of the Swiss Drug Monitoring Center from 1991 to 1995].

Between 1991 and 1995 about 3% of the unwanted drug-induced side effects reported to the Swiss Drug Monitoring Center (SANZ) concerned pulmonary disturbances (144 out of a total of 4824 reports). The most frequent reports were those about cough and taste disorders caused by ACE-inhibitors, smell disorders caused by antimicotics, and asthma attacks caused by nonsteroidal antirheumatics or betablocking eye drops. 33% of these unwanted side effects have been classified as severe. By spontaneous reporting a correct calculation of incidence is not possible. The reports, however, have signal function. Precise case analysis, temporary correlations (reaction and exposure time and onset of reaction), exclusion of other causes for the disease, comparisons between similar cases and critical study of literature concerning drug-related side effects are still the most important foundations for diagnosis.