What is Adverse Drug Reaction?

An adverse drug reaction (ADR) is an unwanted or harmful reaction that develops in a patient while he is taking a medicine or combination of medicines.

Why does an individual suffer from ADR?

• An individual’s unique genetic make-up is responsible for the untoward reaction to a particular drug.

• Anyone can develop an ADR but certain groups are at higher risk - Elderly patients on multiple drugs

• Those with previous history or family history of drug reaction HIV positive individuals

• Patients with liver and kidney failure

Which drugs are most likely to cause ADRs?

• No drug is absolutely safe and any drug can cause reaction.

• Certain drug groups more liable to cause reactions such as antibiotics, anti-epileptics and pain killers.

• Sometimes, a drug itself may not cause an ADR but upon taking with another drug, there could be an interaction between the two drugs, leading to an ADR.

How does an ADR appear?

• An ADR can mimic any skin disease.

• The most common complaints are itching or development of a red coloured rash on skin, lips or inside mouth, eyes or genitals soon after starting the drug.

• Many a times such complaints may suddenly appear after prolonged use of a particular drug.

• An ADR may also present as swelling of face and lips with difficulty in breathing.

What should one do if they develop an ADR?

• Most reactions are generally self- limiting and subside promptly on withdrawal of offending drug(s).

• Report immediately to your treating physician or nearby physician available.

• Carry your complete medical record along with the strips, wrappers, boxes of medication consumed by you. This will help your doctor in identifying the suspected drug(s) & prevent reaction in future.

• Avoid the suspected & related drug(s) as instructed by your physician, in future.

Can ADR be predicted?

• No, one cannot always predict the ADRs except a few which are related to the overdose of a particular drug.

• Some of the ADRs occur after prolonged use of a drug while others can develop even after stoppage of drug.

Can ADR be serious?

• Most of the ADRs are mild, not bothersome and do not generally require a change in therapy.

• A few, however, can be serious, disabling or life threatening and may require immediate stoppage of treatment and hospitalization. These may be associated with systemic complaints such as fever and jaundice.

How can ADRs be prevented?

• Do not self-medicate for minor ailments even with topical medications. It could be dangerous.

• Avoid seeking consultations from quacks, chemists, friends/relatives, traditional faith healers or unqualified practitioner.

• Take medicines only after consultation with qualified doctor in the prescribed dose and duration. Follow your doctor’s instructions strictly.

• Always inform your physician about past history of reaction to drug(s) in you or your family members and carry the list of drugs/ADR card with name of causative drug(s) in your purse or handbag to produce it to any doctor that you may consult in future so as to avoid inadvertent repeat prescription of the same culprit drug.

• Strictly avoid the suspected drug(s) in future. One might need to avoid all the chemically related suspected drugs as suggested by the doctor.

Is ADR due to the negligence of the doctor?

• Absolutely not. A drug reaction is not a mistake of treating doctor or result of his negligence. It is merely a matter of chance.

• Anyone can react to any drug. As mentioned above, reactions to medication(s) occur due to the unique genetic make-up of a person which makes him/her more prone to a particular drug reaction.

• A drug causing ADR in one person does not necessarily produce reaction in other persons.

Are home remedies, Over The Counter (OTC) products, Homeopathic, Ayurvedic and alternative medications absolutely safe?

• No, this is a great myth. No medicine is absolutely safe.

• One can develop reaction to any of these remedies. One can develop adverse reaction even to locally applied medications such as topical steroids and cosmetics such as fairness creams.

Disclaimer: This article is only for general patient information and is not intended for self medication. There is no legal liability of IADVL arising out of any adverse consequence to the patient. Subsequent to its use for self treatment of the disease images adjust for the depiction of the condition and is not to be used for any other purpose.