Abstract

UNDERSTANDING ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS AND DRUG ALLERGIES: PHARMACOVIGILANCE –URGENT NEED OF THE HOUR IN INDIA

Dr. Gohil Kashmira J.*

Abstract

Adverse drug reactions (ADR) and drug allergy are challenging and major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Many hospital admissions are because of ADR and from hospitalized patients; many experience serious ADRs, complicating the situation and therapeutic drug courses. Epidemiologic data supports the existence of specific factors that increase the risk of general ADRs such as specific populations, age, female gender and pharmacogenetics and polymorphism. Complicating factors of drug reactions include the myriad clinical symptoms and multiple mechanisms of drug-host interaction, many of which are poorly understood. This review aspires to explain the details on types of various ADR, their mechanisms with examples and underlying causes. The treatment options are based on the types of ADR encountered. Reporting ADRs and their effective management are the urgent needs of the hour today.

Keywords: Adverse drug reactions, drug allergy, drug interactions, types, mechanism, reporting, treatments, Pharmacovigilance in India.