VPT 311: General and Systemic Veterinary Pharmacology (2+1)

INTRODUCTION

Adverse effects of drugs

• Any undesirable or unintended consequence of drug administration  may be trivial, serious or fatal
• All drugs are capable of producing side effects 
• Definition: Any noxious change which is suspected to be due to a drug at normal doses, requires treatment or decrease in dose or caution in future use of the drug.
• Not uncommon seen in 10 –25% of the cases. Still drugs are used considering the benefit vs risk
• Predictable ( type I) based on the pharmacological properties of the drug. Side effects, toxic effects and drug withdrawal symptoms
• Unpredictable (type II) based on peculiarities of the patient and not on known drug effect.

Severity

• Minor – no therapy needed
• Moderate – may need change in drug / or its dosage or prolong hospital stay
• Severe – potentially life threatening, causes permanent change or requires intensive medical treatment
• Lethal – contributes to the death

Prevention of adverse effects of drugs

• Following steps to minimize ADE
  • Avoid inappropriate uses
  • Use correct dose and route of the drug
  • Consider previous history of reactions, if any
  • Find out if any other allergic disease existed, and take caution
  • Rule out harmful interactions among drugs prescribed
  • Adopt correct drug administration technique
  • Carry out correct lab. procedures to rule out reactions