Drug-induced disorders |
Am Fam Physician. 1997 Nov 1;56(7):1781-8, 1791-2. Drug-induced disorders.Holland EG, Degruy FV. University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, USA. Comment in:
Recent estimates suggest that each year more than 1 million patients are
injured while in the hospital and approximately 180,000 die because of
these injuries. Furthermore, drug-related morbidity and mortality are
common and are estimated to cost more than $136 billion a year. The most
common type of drug-induced disorder is dose-dependent and predictable.
Many adverse drug events occur as a result of drug-drug, drug-disease or
drug-food interactions and, therefore, are preventable. Clinicians'
awareness of the agents that commonly cause drug-induced disorders and
recognition of compromised organ function can significantly decrease the
likelihood that an adverse event will occur. Patient assessment should
include a thorough medication history, including an analysis of all
prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbs and
"health-food" products to identify drug-induced problems and potentially
reversible conditions. An increased awareness among clinicians of
drug-induced disorders should maximize their recognition and minimize
their incidence.
PMID: 9371009 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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