Adverse drug reaction

Adverse drug reactions include rashes, jaundice, anemia, a decrease in the white blood cell count, kidney damage, and nerve injury that may impair vision or hearing. These reactions tend to be more serious but typically occur in a very small number of people.

An adverse drug reaction (ADR) is an injury caused by taking medication. ADRs may occur following a single dose or prolonged administration of a drug or result from the combination of two or more drugs. The meaning of this term differs from the term side effect because side effects can be beneficial as well as detrimental.

Adverse drug reaction, which has been in use for about 30 years, is “a response to a drug that is noxious and unintended and occurs at doses normally used in man for the prophylaxis, diagnosis or therapy of disease, or for modification of physiological function”.

Drugs are prescribed or procedures performed specifically for their side effects; in that case, said side effect ceases to be a side effect and is now an intended effect.

1. Echinacea: – more than so many different types of reactions have been reported, including asthma attacks, loss of pregnancy, hives, swelling, aching muscles and gastrointestinal upsets.

2. Feverfew :  – pregnant women should avoid using this herb, as it can trigger uterine contractions which could lead to premature labour or miscarriage.

3. Asteraceae plants: – which include feverfew, echinacea, dandelion and chamomile. Side effects include allergic dermatitis and hay fever.

The terms “adverse reaction” and “adverse effect” are interchangeable, except that an adverse effect is seen from the point of view of the drug, whereas an adverse reaction is seen from the point of view of the patient. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a major problem in clinical practice and drug development. Estimates suggest that they represent 6.5–6.7% of acute hospital admissions. ADRs represent the most common reason for drug withdrawal and the failure of new drugs to reach the market.

 Medications should be carefully screened and systematically ruled out as possible causes of any abnormal finding on physical examination or from laboratory tests or diagnostic procedures.

Authors can share their research in our jounal through online portal by using this link: https://www.longdom.org/submissions/advances-pharmacoepidemiology-drug-safety.html  and through email: adpharma@eclinjournals.com

With Regards,

Sarah Johnson,

Advances in Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety.