Adverse drug reactions (ADRs)

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) represent a significant challenge in primary care, affecting patient safety and treatment outcomes. Defined as noxious and unintended responses to medications administered at normal therapeutic doses, ADRs can lead to considerable morbidity and mortality, making their recognition and management critical for clinicians (Edwards, 2014; Dharman et al., 2019; Khalil & Huang, 2020). The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that ADRs can arise from preventable medication errors or unforeseen reactions, highlighting the complexity of medication management in diverse patient populations (Khalil & Huang, 2020; Kumar, 2019).

Primary care clinicians are often the first point of contact for patients experiencing ADRs, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of these reactions to ensure timely identification and intervention. Studies indicate that ADRs account for a notable percentage of emergency visits and hospital admissions, with estimates ranging from 5% to 35% in various healthcare settings (Hadi et al., 2017; Avong et al., 2018). The prevalence of ADRs is particularly concerning among vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, where the risk escalates with polypharmacy—defined as the concurrent use of multiple medications (Ibysheva et al., 2021; Gören et al., 2017).

Introduction to Types of Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs)

Adverse drug reactions...