Adverse Drug Reactions Skyrocket

Posted by Elaine Moore Sep 13, 2007

In an article released this week in Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices in Pennsylvania and Wake Forest University School of Medicine in North Carolina, reported that adverse drug reactions, including fatalities, nearly tripled between 1998 and 2005 although the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) began initiating steps to reduce adverse drug events 5 years ago. JCAHO's initiatives have facilitated the reporting of adverse events and this may have contributed somewhat to the colossal increase. However, most events focused on 51 separate treatments, primarily drugs, many newly introduced.

Prescription drugs accounted for the majority of the adverse treatments, with painkillers and interferon compounds among the biggest offenders. Adverse events from interferons, which are often used in multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, various cancers, and hepatitis, rose dramatically; interferon reports rose to 9,181 in 2005 compared to 550 reports in 1998, accounting for 15 percent of the total increase in reports.

The Top Offenders

• Fatalities were primarily associated with Oxycontin, Fentanyl, morphine, acetaminophen, methadone, and Clozapine.
• The most non-fatal events were associated with estrogens, interferon beta, Paroxetine, the anti-psychothic drug Clozapine, Oxycontin, Warfarin (coumadin), and Fentanyl.

Drugs for diabetes are also topping the list although the diabetes drug rosiglitazone (Avandia) has been linked to adverse events for several years. This week researchers reported that rosiglitazone and related thiazolidinedione (TZD) compounds cause edema (fluid retention) and weight gain, which causes an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events including heart attack.

Resources:

Adverse drug event reports rose markedly from 1985-1005, study finds, Daily Briefing, Health Care Advisory Board, September 11, 2007

Thomas H. Maugh II, Adverse Reactions to Drugs Skyrocket, Number has nearly tripled since 1998, report finds, Los Angeles Times, September 11, 2007.