Adverse drug reactions and its management associated with cancer chemotherapy

Abstract

Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are the problem that adds extra burden in the global scenario. Anticancer drugs can lead to severe negative conse-quences due to these ADRs. This study was conducted to assess the causal-ity, severity and preventability of the identified ADRs of chemotherapeutic drugs among hospitalized patients diagnosed with cancer and also to analyze its management. A prospective observational study was conducted among cancer patients for a period of eight months. A total of 120 hospitalized patients who developed at least one ADR due to chemotherapy were included in this study. Data were collected and documented in a well-designed data collection form. A total of 166 ADRs were detected in 120 patients. Anaemia 33(19.8%), was found as the most commonly identified ADR. Patients admin-istered with cisplatin as monotherapy were found to be reported with the highest number of ADRs (36). According to Naranjo’s scale and WHO causality assessment, 110(66.2%) and 105(63.2%) ADRs were found probable. Hartwig & Siegel scale of severity showed that 97(58.4%) ADRs were mod-erate and Modified Schumock and Thornton scale revealed that 129(77.7%) ADRs were not preventable. The patients prescribed with cisplatin, paclitaxel-carboplatin, epirubicin-oxaliplatin-capecitabine regimen should be strictly and continuously monitored for the symptoms of ADR. Early detection of ADR can decrease morbidity and mortality.