STUDY OF ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS OF ANTI-NEOPLASTIC AGENTS IN DIFFERENT STAGE OF CANCER

Dr. Joel Thomas*, Dr. Joshin Sara Cherian, Dr. Monica John, Dr. Jeffy Abraham, Dr. Vijay M C

Padmavathi College of Pharmacy and Research Institute, Periyanahalli, Dharampuri, Tamilnadu, India

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the clinical adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reported in cancer patients taking anticancer drugs in different stage of cancer. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a global problem in different stages of cancer. Anti-cancer drugs are prone to cause ADRs and there is lack of Pharmacovigilance data on such drugs. Therefore the present prospective observational study was undertaken to monitor possible ADRs in the chemotherapy of different stage of cancer. Adverse drug interactions may enhance or diminish the antitumor effects and result in improvement or treatment failure; drug interactions may also increase or decrease the side-effect profile of the anti-neoplastic drug. Precaution must be taken when prescribing other therapeutic agents to patients undergoing active anticancer therapy. The study is the clinical assessment of adverse drug reaction in cancer patients by Naranjo’s ADR probability scale after the clinical pharmacist intervention of a government hospital. We have conducted the prospective study to analyze the ADRs in the oncology department for the period of six months from December 2015 to May 2016 in Government Headquarters, Krishnagiri by the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) students. The study population consists of 150 patients in total. Among them 54.6 % (n=82) of the patients were females. On classifying the patients on age 32 % (n=48) of the patients were of age group 50-59. From the total prescription 34.66% (n=52) patients were diagnosed as stage II cancer. From this clinical study it may be concluded that chemotherapeutic agents have a narrow therapeutic index and dosage needed to achieve a therapeutic response usually proves toxic to the bodies rapidly proliferative cells. However, early detection of drug toxicity helps to modify the doses or the drug regimen to minimize toxic effects.

Keywords:

Adverse drug reaction, Chemotherapy, Clinical Pharmacist, Naranjo’s, ADR Probability scale, Oncology, Stages of cancer, Pharm D