Adverse Effects of Common Drugs: General Concepts
Kelly Dowhower Karpa1, Peter R Lewis2, Todd Matthew Felix2
1Department of Pharmacology at Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Drive R130, Hershey, PA 17033.
FP Essentials
|September 17, 2015
Summary
Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a significant cause of illness and death, often preventable through careful prescribing and monitoring. Vigilance in medication review and reporting ADRs is crucial for patient safety and reducing healthcare costs.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) significantly increase morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expenses.
- Many ADRs are preventable, stemming from drug mechanisms of action or interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of preventing adverse drug reactions.
- To emphasize the role of healthcare professionals in mitigating ADRs.
Main Methods:
- Review of factors contributing to ADRs.
- Discussion of high-risk patient populations (extremes of age, comorbidities, polypharmacy, critical care, care transitions).
- Emphasis on prescriber vigilance against prescribing cascades and the role of pharmacists in drug reviews and monitoring.
Main Results:
- Increased drug and supplement use correlates with higher ADR risk.
- Pharmacists play a key role in comprehensive drug reviews and therapeutic monitoring.
- Electronic health record decision support tools can aid, but not replace, clinical judgment.
Conclusions:
- Prescribers must be vigilant to discontinue potentially harmful medications.
- Pharmacists are essential partners in optimizing medication therapy and preventing ADRs.
- Reporting ADRs to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System is encouraged.
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