info@burtsrx.com
If you’d like a better understanding of an adverse drug reaction, then you’ve come to the right spot. Read further.
I am sure you can remember a time when you or someone you know had an adverse reaction to a particular drug. It is not fun and can pose a threat to your health. It calls for immediate attention. But, first, you need to know what an adverse drug reaction is.
What is an Adverse Drug Reaction?
It can be described as a negative reaction to a medication, whether taken orally or topically. The reaction can range from mild to severe and requires medical attention. The course of the treatment varies based on the severity of the reaction. It is often confused with drug hypersensitivity, but it is slightly different from an adverse drug reaction.
How to Figure Out If I have an Adverse Reaction?
Let’s dive deeper; the reaction is essentially the response of your immune system to a foreign agent in the body. Essentially, your immune system goes into an overdrive mode to protect your body and starts developing antibodies and T cells to combat the effects of the drug. This process leads to reactions such as; nausea, rash, jaundice, anaphylaxis, and toxic epidermal necrolysis.
Symptoms of an Adverse Drug Reaction
As soon as the drug breaks down in the body and starts to interact with the immune system, the symptoms start to show up. Let’s look at the most common symptoms:
Mild Symptoms
Red, flaky, itchy, and swollen skin are the most common sign of mild symptoms. In some cases, patients also experience flat, red skin covered in small bumps and hives.
Severe Symptoms
Some of the most common severe symptoms include blisters, peels, vision problems, itching, and extreme swelling. In some cases, patients also experience toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and other serious health conditions.
Anaphylaxis Symptoms
Throat tightness, difficulty breathing, tingling sensation, dizziness, and wheezing are some of the most common anaphylaxis symptoms. It is a sudden, life-threatening reaction that requires immediate treatment.
Adverse Drug Reaction Diagnoses
The diagnosis process will begin with your service provider asking you about your medical history and allergies. Some people require additional testing if the patient has developed anaphylaxis once they are exposed to the trigger and exercises. In addition to this, you might require the following tests:
Patch Test
During a patch test, a small amount of the drug will be put on your skin, covered by a patch for two days. After the due time has passed, your doctor will check your skin for a reaction.
Skin Prick
During the skin prick test, a small amount of drug will be put on your forearm, and it will be pricked with a needle. Then your doctor will check for a reaction.
Intradermal Test
A small amount of drug will be put underneath the skin, and your doctor will watch for a reaction.
Drug Provocation Test
A drug provocation is also known as a challenge test. The doctor gives you increasing doses of the drug and watches for a reaction.
In some cases, the healthcare provider might not ask you to take any of the tests as the cause of the reaction is obvious. Sometimes, switching to a different drug is the only option. In other cases, you will be asked to avoid taking two medications at the same time. On the other hand, some cases call for compounding pharmacy as certain individuals need that particular drug to counter a medical condition.
Adverse Drug Reaction Treatment
The first thing you need to do is seek the help of a medical professional. A medical professional will look for the signs of infections and might perform certain tests lifted above to identify the root cause. Once the cause is identified, your doctor will recommend a suitable treatment plan.
Some common treatment options are:
- Antihistamines – Minimize mild symptoms such as itching, redness, or rash.
- Epinephrine – It is used to treat severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis.
- Steroids – They are commonly used to reduce inflammation.
- Desensitization – This might be done post-reaction if you require a particular drug for treatment again. In this case, your healthcare provider will inject small doses of the drugs. The dose is increased slowly and steadily till it stops causing an allergic reaction.
None of these methods should be tried without the supervision of the healthcare provider. Avoid self-medication at all costs, especially when you are experiencing an adverse reaction.
Preventing Adverse Drug Reaction
Preventing adverse drug reactions is possible. It is a collective responsibility of the pharmaceutical industry, doctors, and the patient. Contrary to popular belief, patients play a significant role in the prevention of adverse drugs. First things first, as a consumer, you must ensure high-level compliance with medical instructions. It minimizes the chances of adverse reactions and maximizes therapeutic effects.
Inadequate compliance can lead to toxicity or treatment failure, increased treatment costs, and a possibly fatal outcome for the patient. As a patient, you need to avoid self-medication at all costs.
The role of compounding pharmacy is crucial in this regard. Compounding pharmacists can eliminate the allergy-causing substances from a particular drug and formulate it in a manner that suits you. They are able to work with your healthcare provider to create a drug that fits you best.
Seek Immediate Help
Seek immediate help if you experience any of the following symptoms; rash with itchy, swollen, red spots, blisters, skin peeling, trouble swallowing, fever, sore throat, swollen glands, difficulty breathing, hoarse voice, fast or pounding heartbeat, the whites of eyes turning yellow.
Final Takeaway
Adverse drug reactions are more common than you think. If you or anyone surrounding you experiences a reaction after using a particular drug, stop using it and seek medical help immediately. Don’t try to cure it by yourself, as it takes only minutes before your symptoms start to get worse. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
If you wish to know more about the subject or need assistance in regards to a compounding pharmacy, feel free to contact us. We assist in the management of your health through education, specialty products & services. Our team would be happy to serve you.