Lecture 16: Adverse Drug Reactions Flashcards
WHO definition of ADR adverse drug reactions
a response to a drug which is noxious and unintended, wand which occurs at doses normally used in man for the prophylaxis, diagnosis or therapy of disease, or for the modifications of physiological function
ADR from anti-hypertensive medications
antihypertensive B blocker, prescribed at normal dose, causing hypotension = adverse reaction.
- noxious and unintended
- now requires fluids or medicines to elevate BP
American Society of health-system pharmacists definition
Any unexpected, unintended, undesired or excessive response to a medicine that:
(change way now use the medicine)
- requires discontinuing the medicine
- requires changing the medication therapy
- requires modifying the dose, except for minor dosage adjustments
(extra treatment)
- necessitates admission to hospital
- prolongs stay in healthcare facility
- necessitates supportive treatment
(negative outcome)
- significantly complicates diagnosis
- negatively affects prognosis
- results in temporary or permanent harm, disability or death
How do “medication errors” relate to ADRS
** diagram
Medication errors: mishaps due to prescribing, transcribing, dispensing, administering, adherence or monitoring of a drug.
- more common than adverse drug events
- harm less than 1%
Adverse drug event
an injury resulting from the use of a drug, includes:
- harm caused by the drug (ADR + overdoses)
- harm from use of the drug (dose reductions and discontinuation of drug therapy)
ADR can occur from medication errors (25%), but the remaining 75% occurs due to reasons other than medication mistakes. (e.g. due to having a hypotensive response to a medication due to individuality)
Allergy
ADR mediated by an immune response
e. g. rash , hives
- penicillin
Side effect
an expected and known effect of a drug, that isnt intended in the therapeutic outcome
i. e. ADR
e. g. due to having too of a medicine
ADR range of severities
Most ADRs are Mild (no treatment change required)
- e.g. ACE inhibitor accumulation of bradykinans causing a cough. Just reassure patient, may have to reduce dose
Some are moderate (requires a change in treatment or additional treatment)
Rare to have Severe ADRs (hospital admission required for disabling, life threatening ADRs. congenital abnormality)
Classification of ADRS
Type A - augmented pharmacological effect Type B - bizarre Type C - chronic effects Type D - delayed effect Type E - end of treatment Type F - failure of treatment
Type A ADR classification
extension of pharmacological effect
often predictable and dose dependant
responsible for at least 2/3 of ADRs
e.g. anticholinergic effects with tricyclic antidepressants
Note: not always predictable. e.g. spirolactone induce gynocomastia (breast enlargement) = different from therapeutic effect
vs. Beta blocker whose adverse reaction is same as therapeutic effect
Type B ADR classification
Idiosyncratic or immunologic (drug allergy)
Rare and unpredictable
Dose dependant
e.g. penicillin rash
e.g. malignant hyperpyrexia in anaethesia
Note: often learn about due to knowing someone else experienced this
Type C ADR classification
Chronic effects
associated with longterm use
accumulation of dose/damage
e.g. analgesic neuropathy: long term NSAIDs causing damage to kidneys after years of use –> predictable
Type D ADR classification
Delayed effects
carcinogenicity
teratogenity
Type E ADR classification
End of treatment
e. g. Seizures after stopping phenytoin (abruptly stopping anti-seizure/epilepsy medication)
- analgesic (rebound pain)
- addiction to opioids
- abruptly stopping SSRIs antidepressants
Type F ADR classification
Failure of treatment
e.g. inadequate dosage of oral contraceptive (esp. when used with a specific enzyme inducer)