ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT OF A SOUTH INDIAN HOSPITAL

Kavitha P. and T. K. Ponnuswamy*

ABSTRACT

Background & Objectives – Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) continue to be of concern to all health professionals. The objective of the study was to study the pattern of occurrence of ADRs among patients in intensive care unit of a South Indian hospital. Methodology -It was a prospective, descriptive study conducted over a period of nine months (Nov 2005 to July 2006) involving 916 patients in the ICU. The study was initiated after getting approval from Institutional human Ethics Committee (IHEC). Factors like age and sex distribution, most common drug classes involved in ADRs and the most common ADRs were analysed. Results- Thirty eight adverse drug reactions were reported spontaneously in 9 months of study in the intensive care unit. Cutaneous reactions were the commonest side effect reported in (34.2%) of patients. Liver dysfunction was the next common side effects reported in (15.8%) of patients. Antibiotics were the common class of drugs involved in ADRs( 60.5%). Twenty one (55.3%) ADRs were reported in males and seventeen (44.7%) reports were in females. Conclusion- Awareness about adverse reaction monitoring, can be improved by conducting CME programmes and workshops for the ICU staff which could increase the ADR reports from the ICU, which in turn could reduce the morbity and mortality of the patients.

Keywords: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs), Spontaneous reports, Intensive care unit, Cutaneous reactions, Antibiotics.