ADR

ADR (Adverse Drug Reaction) is a term used in pharmacology to describe any unexpected, harmful, undesired, or unintended response to a drug. These reactions can occur at any dose and can range from minor to severe, potentially leading to death.

Etymology

The term "Adverse Drug Reaction" is derived from the Latin word "adversus" meaning "against" and the English word "drug" which is derived from the Old French "drogue", possibly deriving later into 'droge-vate' from Middle Dutch meaning 'dry barrels', referring to medicinal plants preserved in them. The word "reaction" is derived from the Latin "reactio" meaning "a response".

Types of ADRs

ADRs can be classified into two broad categories: type A (augmented) and type B (bizarre).

• Type A reactions are the most common type of ADR and are usually predictable from the known pharmacology of a drug. They are dose-dependent and can be alleviated by reducing the drug dosage.
• Type B reactions are less common and are not predictable from the known pharmacology of a drug. They are not dose-dependent and are often severe, leading to the withdrawal of the drug from the market.

Related Terms

• Pharmacovigilance is the science and activities related to the detection, assessment, understanding, and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug-related problems.
• Drug Interaction is a situation in which a substance affects the activity of a drug when both are administered together.
• Drug Allergy is an immune response or reaction to a drug.

See Also

• Pharmacology
• Toxicology
• Medication

References

ADR Resources
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