Adverse Reactions to Drugs

Abstract

The present trend toward polypharmacy increases the likelihood of adverse drug reactions and obscures the relationship of drugs to complications. Both host factors and drug factors predispose to the development of an adverse reaction. Reactions may be related to therapeutic or nontherapeutic effects of drugs. Other categories include allergic reactions (immediate or delayed), reactions of uncertain cause, interference with natural defenses, deposition of drug or metabolite in tissue, fetal malformations, and harmful effects in newborn infants.