Adverse Drug Reactions - Part I
ADRs Affecting the Respiratory System

Dyspnea is ranked #17 among the 30 most common ADRs associated with the top 200 drugs dispensed by U.S. community pharmacies.⁹ It is described as shortness of breath, breathlessness, inability to take a deep breath, suffocating, cannot get enough air, or pain on breathing.^6,8,28 Dyspnea is to be distinguished from impairment of expiratory airflow associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.²⁸ Dyspnea may be caused by opioids, β₁-adrenergic receptor agonist, and intolerance to ASA, NSAIDs, and adenosine.