Adverse drug effects
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Adverse Drug Effects
Adverse drug effects, also called adverse side effects or adverse drug events, are unwanted reactions that people have to drugs. The more severe drug side effects are more appropriately termed adverse drug reactions. These are reactions that are unwanted, unpleasant, noxious or potentially harmful. The definition of adverse drug effects does not include drug abuse, or intentional or accidental drug overdose.
Mild Adverse Drug Effects
Most adverse drug effects are relatively mild and disappear when the drug is stopped or the dose is reduced. Some adverse drug effects subside as soon as the body becomes used to the drug.
Common adverse drug reactions include digestive disturbances: a bloating sensation, constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and nausea. This is due to the fact that most of these drugs are taken by mouth and pass through the digestive system. In older adults, many drugs affect the brain, resulting in the adverse drug effects of confusion and drowsiness.
Serious Adverse Drug Effects
Merck, the pharmaceutical company, estimates that 3 to 7 percent of all hospital admissions in the U.S. are for treatment of adverse drug reactions. And adverse drug reactions occur in 10 to 20 percent of all hospital admissions – with 10 to 20 percent of these being severe. Severe adverse drug effects, type of drug and examples include:
• Peptic ulcers or bleeding from the stomach – from corticosteroids taken by mouth or injection (not those applied to the skin in creams or lotions) – from hydrocortisone or prednisone. Also from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Also from anti-coagulants such as heparin and Warfarin.
• Anemia – certain antibiotics – such as chloramphenicol.
• Decreased production of white blood cells, with increased risk of infection – from certain antidepressant drugs such as clozapine.
• Liver damage – some analgesics – from excessive doses of acetaminophen.
• Kidney damage – repeated excessive use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
• Confusion and drowsiness – sedatives, including many antihistamines – from diphenhydramine. Also from antidepressant drugs, especially in older people – from amitriptyline and imipramine.
Allergic Reactions to Drugs
Everyone reacts to medications differently. In some, a drug may cause a rash, while in others, severe allergic reactions may occur. According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, only about 5 to 10 percent of adverse reactions to drugs are allergic.
Allergic symptoms are the result of a chain reaction that starts in the immune system – the body’s first line of defense against invaders. Allergic reactions to drugs may cause symptoms in the nose, throat, ears, sinuses, lining of the stomach or on the skin.
Most allergic reactions to drugs occur within hours to 2 weeks after taking the medication. One of the most severe allergic reactions – and one that may prove fatal – is anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include hives, swelling of the face or throat, wheezing, light-headedness, vomiting and shock.
Taking Precautions
Anyone taking medications should exercise good judgment and take necessary precautions. Keep a list of all the medications you are taking and make sure your doctor knows what they are. This will help avoid potential drug interactions that may be adverse, whether mild, moderate, severe or potentially life threatening.
If you have a serious adverse drug effect, reaction or allergic reaction, contact your physician immediately for treatment.
--Suzannekane 20:08, 31 March 2010 (UTC)
