DOI: 10.36347/sajp

Pages: 76-82

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are noxious and unintended response to medicines. The detection and evaluation of ADRs of new drug is often delayed because they have long latency and are unexpected. But now a days pharmacovigilance surveillance system makes it possible for physicians, pharmacist and other health care providers to report suspected ADRs. The objective of this prospective study was to assess clinical pattern of drug induced cutaneous reactions in Dermatology OPD. In our study total of 60 patients with suspected cutaneous adverse drug reactions were recruited. A detailed physical examination was done by a physician including drug intake during 3 weeks preceding reactions and type of drug reactions. Most frequently reported cutaneous drug reactions were Stevens Johnson Syndrome (23%), Maculopapular rash (18%) Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (15%) and were caused by antiepileptic drugs in 21(35%) patients, followed by antibiotics in 17(28.33%) cases, NSAID’s in 7(11.6%) cases, antitubercular drugs in 3(5%) and antiretroviral drugs in 3(5%) cases. A high proportioned of these reaction (50%) were moderate (31%) of these were severe because they require hospitalisation or increased the duration of stay in hospital or were life threatening in (1%). Principal offending drug was phenytoin. So, a good knowledge of ADRs, a careful history taking and watchful approach while prescribing of new drugs can prevent many of the adverse drug reactions. These facts justify the development of an intensive programme of pharmacovigilance