Adverse drug reactions

Abstract

It has been established that drugs can’t be useful without causing side effects at the same time. There are many different variables contributing the development of these adverse effects, such as pharmaceutical (Change in the main effective substance of drug, excipients and other), pharmacodynamic (Pharmacological effect of drug leading to development of adverse effects) and pharmacokinetic including the role of digestive system in formulation of drugs or the activity of liver enzymes in elimination or absorption of them. Some of the side effects may be patients dependent, e.g. some patients have shown to be allergic to specific drugs. However, individual variation is a determinant of the type of adverse effects of drugs administered. The symptoms of drug side effects are fever, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, CNS disorders such as dizziness, sedation, dementia and complex mood-affective reactions etc. Sometimes, the reactions may affect breast fed infants whose mothers have been using the drugs. However, it is very important to know that drugs should not be used in place of foods.

Keywords

• adverse drug reaction
• side effects
• intoxication
• allergic reaction
• active metabolites