Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a leading cause of death in the USA, say Canadian researchers. Bruce Pomeranz and colleagues at the University of Toronto estimate that ADRs could account for more than 100 000 deaths in the USA each year, making them the fourth commonest cause of death after heart disease (nearly 750 000 deaths), cancer (530 000), and stroke (150 000) (JAMA 1998; 279: 1200-05). Although the articles indexed below are not specifically about HIV or AIDS they are worth considering - especially for anyone who has been declared a candidate for "anti-HIV" chemotherapies known as HAART. Part of the fall-out of the modern pharmaceutical explosion is how many adverse drug reactions mimic disease, resulting in all sorts of confusion. This problem has been addressed in the Physicians Desk Reference regarding at least one "anti-HIV" drug: It was often difficult to distinguish adverse events possibly associated with zidovudine [AZT] administration from the underlying signs of HIV disease."In fact," conclude the BMJ authors, "adverse reactions have taken over from syphilis and tuberculosis as the great mimics of other diseases. The pattern of toxicity is likely to change with the introduction of new biotechnology products. It is therefore important for prescribing clinicians to be aware of the toxic profile of drugs they prescribe and to be ever vigilant for the occurrence of unexpected adverse reactions." Adverse drug reactions remain a major cause of death [News: Science and Medicine] Bonn, Dorothy Lancet: Volume 351(9110), April 18, 1998, p 1183
Drugs and Adverse Drug Reactions:
Incidence of Adverse Drug Reactions in
Hospitalized Patients:
A Meta-analysis of Prospective Studies [Review]
Fortnightly review: Adverse drug reactions
[Clinical Review]
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