PHS1 - Medication Utilization in incident adverse Drug reactions of Cancer Chemotherapy - a Pharmacist Perspective

Abstract

To describe the occurrence rates and causality evidence of cancer medication–associated adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and to evaluate Medication Utilization in managing the occurred ADRs. The patient’s data was collected using patient data collection forms in inpatient Radiotherapy department. The ADR assessment is done by using WHO causality assessment scale and Naranjo’s causality assessment scale. In a total of 536 patients, 78% (n=418) experienced adverse drug reactions. Patients with single adverse drug reaction are 43% (n=178) of 418, whereas 23% (n=96) experienced two adverse drug reactions and 9% (n=38) were found to be experiencing more than 2 adverse drug reactions. Alopecia 95% (n=397), Nausea and vomiting 82% (n=343), myelosuppression 42.1% (n=176), Skin pigmentation 15.3% (n=64), itching 11.4% (n=48), Diarrhea 11% (n=46), mucositis 10.2% (n=43), Constipation 6.22% (n=26), cardiotoxicity 2% (n=8) are most commonly observed ADRs. The drugs and their proportions for management of chemotherapy induced adverse drug reactions include Filgrastim (100%), metachlopromide (87.0%), different antibiotics like Piperacillin+Tazobactum (77.8%), Ceftriaxone (73.3%), Ondansetron (70%) and Dulcolax (66.6%). Approximately 78% of patients taking chemotherapy experienced adverse drug reactions that are mostly managed by utilizing proper medications, which further elucidate the opportunity for clinical pharmacists to monitor and manage adverse drug reactions cautiously, thereby minimizing the after effects of chemotherapy and improving the patient’s outcomes.