Adverse Drug Reactions

Adverse drug reaction (ADR, or adverse drug effect) is a broad term referring to unwanted, uncomfortable, or dangerous effects that a drug may have. ADRs can be considered a form of toxicity; however, toxicity is most commonly applied to effects of overingestion  or to elevated blood levels or enhanced drug effects that occur during appropriate use (eg, when drug metabolism is temporarily inhibited by a disorder or another drug).Side effect is an imprecise term often used to refer to a drug’s unintended effects that occur within the therapeutic range. Because all drugs have the potential for ADRs, risk-benefit analysis (analyzing the likelihood of benefit vs risk of ADRs) is necessary whenever a drug is prescribed. Read More