Harmful Drug Reactions
Vietnamese

May 2, 2004
H. Nguyen, R.Ph.
ASHInfo Member and Contributor

Translated by M. Pham

Many patients, after taking their medications, would
return to their pharmacy inquiring why they take their
medicine exactly the way it was prescribed but feel ill
and very uncomfortable.  Some people complain of
nausea, others of diarrhea or rash, many of stomach
upset.  All of the mentioned discomforts are the
result of a commonly known origin: adverse drug
reactions (ADR).  Although the drug quality is
guaranteed and it is taken correctly by the patient, a
drug is still considered a foreign substance to the

body and may cause side effects which are undesirable, or sometimes
even harmful to the patient’s health.  These are known as toxic
adverse drug reactions, which may occur even when given within the
normal dosage range.  Pharmacologists usually know about these toxic
reactions through research.  A drug is considered acceptable for use
when its benefits outweigh its risks.  Thus, before the FDA approves a
new drug, they require the drug manufacturer to provide a list of
possible side effects.  This helps doctors and patients become aware
about the risks of a certain drug before it is given.  In truth, there are
also many cases in which patients do not experience any of these
adverse reactions at all.
    
Drug manufacturers always warn about these toxic reactions, especially
those toxic reactions that are not easy to foresee.  It is important that
patients know about these and report them to their healthcare
practitioners in time.  Every manufacturer has its own ADR office for the
purpose of monitoring and timely reporting to regulatory agencies to
help protect the best interests of the consumers.

There are many reasons why unwanted drug reactions happen: from
the body reacting to the active ingredient in the drug, or to the inactive
ingredients (binder, dye, etc), previous allergy history, people within a
specific race, chronic diseases, elderly, imuno-suppressed patients,
etc.  The combined use of multiple drugs in therapy may also cause
harmful adverse reactions.

In summary, drugs are necessary for disease treatment and
prevention, but drugs may also cause undesired adverse reactions that
may affect the health of people who take them.  Drugs are double-
edged blades, thus, to minimize the occurrence of these reactions,
patients should never self treat or mix drugs.  The best way is to go
see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment course.  Also,
patients should always report necessary information about their disease
conditions and previous allergy history to their physicians.  The
physicians may then weigh the benefits against the undesired side
effects and give proper instructions about the course of treatment.  
Patients should follow these directions, and when experience abnormal
reactions, stop using the medications and inform to their physicians in
a timely manner.

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