title: Drug-induced disorders.
abstract: Recent estimates suggest that each year more than 1 million patients are injured while in the hospital and approximately 180,000 die because of these injuries. Furthermore, drug-related morbidity and mortality are common and are estimated to cost more than $136 billion a year. The most common type of drug-induced disorder is dose-dependent and predictable. Many adverse drug events occur as a result of drug-drug, drug-disease or drug-food interactions and, therefore, are preventable. Clinicians' awareness of the agents that commonly cause drug-induced disorders and recognition of compromised organ function can significantly decrease the likelihood that an adverse event will occur. Patient assessment should include a thorough medication history, including an analysis of all prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbs and "health-food" products to identify drug-induced problems and potentially reversible conditions. An increased awareness among clinicians of drug-induced disorders should maximize their recognition and minimize their incidence.
authors.affiliation: University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, USA.
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Holland
authors.forename: F V
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Degruy
mesh_terms: D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000378:metabolism; D004194:Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
chemical_list: D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System