Adverse Drug Reaction

By: Craig

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 An adverse drug reaction is described as a harm associated with the use of prescribed medications at its normal dosage level. This is totally different from the term side effect. The field in medical organization which studies this adverse drug effect is known as pharmacovigilance.

Important Aspects of Adverse Drug Reaction

·         It is known to be an appreciably harmful and unpleasant reaction, resulting from the ingredients present in medicinal product. These are predicted to be hazardous in future. 

·         Adverse drug reactions are divided into six. They are listed as below:

1.       Dose-related (Augmented)

2.       Time-related (Delayed)

3.       Withdrawal (End of use)

4.       Failure of therapy (Failure)

5.       Non-dose-related (Bizarre)

6.       Dose-related and time-related (Chronic)

 

 

·         It is known that the adverse drug reactions caused by immune and non immune mechanisms are today’s major cause of mortality worldwide.

·         In the United States, more than 100,000 deaths take place annually only due to the serious adverse drug reactions.

·         3 to 6 % of all hospital admissions are only because of adverse drug reactions in US.

·         According to Epidemiologic data, there is strong existence of factors that increase the risk of adverse drug reactions, for e.g. female gender, infection with HIV, or herpes virus.

·         Along with this, hypersensitivity drug reactions can lead to asthma, systemic lupus erythematosus, or use of beta blockers.

Seriousness and Severity in Adverse Drug Reaction

According to The American Food and Drug Administration, Adverse drug reaction can lead to the following conditions:

·         Death

·         Disability

·         Congenital anomaly

·         Life-threatening

·         Hospitalization

·         Requires intervention

Important Adverse Drug Reactions

·         Diarrhea is caused due to adverse drug reaction of orlistat (Xenical)

·         Corticosteroid-based eye drops can lead to Glaucoma as an adverse drug reaction.

·         Deafness and kidney failure takes place in case of gentamicin (an antibiotic)

·         Parkinsonism can cause due to MPTP, a meperidine related drug which is known to be highly nurotoxic in nature.

·         Tardive dyskinesia is the result of long term use of metoclopramide and antipsychotic medications.

·         Diabetes is the main adverse drug reaction of atypical antipsychotic medications i.e. neuroleptic psychiatric drugs.

·         Addiction is known to be adverse drug reaction of many sedatives and analgesics, for e.g. diazepam, morphine, etc.

·         Bleeding of intestine is an adverse drug effect of aspirin therapy

·         Cardiovascular diseases take place due to COX-2 inhibitors, known as Vioxx.

·         Abortion, miscarriage or uterine hemorrhage is the adverse drug reaction of misoprostol (Cytotec), a labor-inducing drug.

·         Hair loss and anemia are adverse drug reactions of chemotherapy

·         Spinal anesthesia can cause headache as an adverse drug reaction

·         Death, following sedation can be a result of propofol i.e. Diprivan

·         Depression or hepatic injury takes place in interferon

·         Birth defects can take place due to drugs like Thalidomide and Accutane

·         Dementia is the adverse drug reaction of heart bypass surgery

·         Erectile dysfunction can be caused due to antidepressants

It is very important to know the adverse drug reaction of drugs, so as to minimize complications. 

About the Author

 Craig Brown has practiced as a Doctor of Medicine in New Zealand for about 20 years. Although he is retired now, he continues to share his medical knowledge and experience with readers through his writings.

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