ASSESSMENT OF ADVERSE DRUG REACTION IN CANCER PATIENTS IN A CANCER CARE CENTER

The study is the assessment of Adverse drug reaction in a Cancer Care Center. We have conducted the prospective study to analyse the ADR The study population consisted of 178 patients in total. Among them 59% (n=105) of the patients were females. On classifying the patients based on age 33.15% (n=59) of the patients were of age group 60-69. From the total prescription 37.64% (n=67) of the diagnosis was concerned with the reproductive system and in 28.65% (n=51) of the cases the site of tumor was the cervix. As a part of the chemotherapy the patients were prescribed with various classes of anti-cancerous agents. About 67.97% (n=121) alkylating agents were preferred. And most frequently used anti-cancer drug was 5-FU. In 23.59% (n=42) of patients with a combination cisplatin + 5-FU was prescribed. 34.83% (n= 62) of patients had been prescribed with quinolones and 19.66% (n=35) of cases were given with ofloxacin. The prescriptions contained drugs other than anti-cancer agents like nutritional supplements. 35.39% (n=63) of the prescriptions were prescribed with Iron supplements. On classifying the ADRs found according to Wills & Brown classification of ADR assessment, 45.89% of the ADRs were of Type A(Augmented reaction) the chemotherapeutic drugs have a narrow therapeutic index and the dosage needed to achieve a therapeutic response usually proves toxic to the body’s rapidly proliferating cells. Early modifications in dosage regimen of chemotherapeutic agents may minimize the hazardous ADRs. Through pharmacist intervention in the adjustment of dosage regimen and supportive care maximum benefits can be gained by the patients because supportive care improves patient comfort and improves quality of life. Keywords: ADR, Pharmacist Intervention, Supportive care.