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Shark oil pneumonia. An overlooked entity
D S Asnis1, H P Saltzman, A Melchert
1Department of Internal Medicine, Flushing Hospital and Medical Center, NY 11355.
Chest
|March 1, 1993
Summary
Over-the-counter Asian folk remedies containing squalene, derived from shark liver oil, can cause lipoid pneumonia. This highlights potential risks of seemingly harmless nonprescription products.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Nonprescription drugs are widely perceived as safe.
- Over-the-counter (OTC) medications and folk remedies are common.
- Squalene, a shark liver oil derivative, is used in some traditional remedies.
Observation:
- A case of lipoid pneumonia is presented.
- The pneumonia resulted from the ingestion of squalene.
- Squalene was consumed as a popular OTC Asian folk remedy.
Findings:
- Ingestion of squalene can lead to lipoid pneumonia.
- This condition arises from the aspiration or inhalation of oily substances.
- The patient developed lung inflammation due to squalene intake.
Implications:
- The perceived safety of OTC remedies may be inaccurate.
- Clinicians should consider folk remedies in differential diagnoses.
- Awareness of potential iatrogenic lung injury from OTC products is crucial.