WHAT IS ADVERSE DRUG REACTION?
An adverse drug reaction(ADR) is an unwanted, harmful effect of a medication that occurs during usual clinical dose.

HOW DOES IT HAPPENS?
ADRs may occur following a single dose or prolonged administration of a drug or result from the combination of two or more drugs.

LOCATION
Adverse effects may be local, i.e. limited to a certain location, or systemic, where medication has caused adverse effects throughout the systemic circulation.

MECHANISM
Common mechanisms are: Abnormal drug- processing system in the body due to genetic factors, comorbid (occurence of two or more disease at the same time) disease states, synergistic effects between either a drug and a disease two drugs.

HOW SEVERE OR HARMFUL CAN IT BE?
The severity can be mild or involve any of the following outcome: Death,
Life-threatening
Hospitalization (initial or prolonged), Disability - significant, persistent, or permanent change, impairment, damage or disruption in the patient's body function/structure, physical activities or quality of life.

HOW CAN YOU PREVENT ADRs?
It cannot be prevented until you experience it. However, having knowledge of the medication that cause it and knowing the signs can help in early management and prevent morbidity.

HOW DO YOU MANAGE ADRs IF YOU EXPERIENCE IT?
As soon as you realize you are having common sign of ADR( rashes, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing ...), after ingesting or applying a particular medication, discontinue the medicine and consult a pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible. Go along with the remaining drug or its package.

Share your experience on this thread for others to learn if you have experience ADR or reacted to any drug before.

The medicine I reacted to is CHLOROQUINE. It will itch my body for three days after ingestion or injection. Thank God to the discovery of ACTs to treat malaria. I no longer have to take chloroquine.