Adverse Drug Reactions

Adverse Drug Reactions
The World Health Organization (1992) defines Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR) as any drug response that is noxious and unintended and occurs at doses used that is used for prophylaxis, diagnosis or for interventional purposes in humans. Around 27-33% of patients who receive more than one medication suffers from Adverse Drug Reactions. These reactions are due to toxic effects of the active drug or its metabolites that cause organ or tissue toxicity. ADR is classified as (Bennett & Brown,2008):
Type Features Example
Type A Dose-related and occurs due to pharmacological action of a drug ADR is predictable Nephrotoxicity of aminoglycosides
Type B Not dose related and does not occurs due to pharmacological action of a drug
ADR is unpredictable Urticaria induced by penicillin
Type C Uncommon HPA axis suppression by steroids
Type D Delayed reactions Ankle edema by amlodipine
Type E After drug therapy is terminated Tachyphylaxis
ADR can be prevented by:
Awareness: Patients must be briefed regarding the effects and side effects of a drug
Aversion: The patients should be restricted on self-pharmacy, even on OTC medications
Reporting: Must inform care provider regarding his or her symptoms after initiating therapy with a certain pharmacological agent
Knowledge: Regarding drug-drug interactions and drug-nutrient interactions
Compliance: Should adhere to guidelines for the physician and must not intentionally overdose for alleviating symptoms (Bennett & Brown, …