Upadacitinib-induced interstitial pneumonitis
Abstract
Drug-induced lung injury represents a heterogeneous group of adverse reactions, with an increasing number of implicated medications each year. We report a case of pneumonitis in a woman recently commenced on upadacitinib for ulcerative colitis. She presented with dyspnoea, dry cough and subjective fevers. High-resolution CT of the chest revealed diffuse bilateral ground-glass opacities. Infectious and autoimmune causes were excluded. Upadacitinib was discontinued and corticosteroid therapy initiated, resulting in near-complete radiological resolution within 2 months. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of upadacitinib-induced pneumonitis. Clinicians should remain vigilant for this potential adverse effect as the use of Janus kinase inhibitors expands.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Interstitial Lung Diseases and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Lung Cancer Treatments and Mutations
Rheumatoid Arthritis Research and Therapies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- BMJ Case Reports
- Publisher
- BMJ
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- e273829–e273829
- Publication date
- 1 July 2026
- Language
- EN