Category: Adverse drug reactions

Paradoxical drug reactions are an uncommon but important adverse effect that have been documented across various medication classes, with an incidence rate of less than 1% for some drug types. So, **what is an example of a paradoxical effect**? It's an unexpected event where a medication produces the exact opposite of its intended therapeutic response, such as a sedative causing agitation instead of calmness.

Contrary to popular belief, a true drug allergy is relatively rare, accounting for only 5% to 10% of all adverse drug reactions. When your body seemingly rejects medicine, the issue is more often a non-immune adverse effect or intolerance, though a true allergic reaction is also possible and can be severe.

Approximately 4–6% of the general population are considered “high steroid responders,” meaning they experience a significant rise in intraocular pressure (IOP) from corticosteroid use. While medication-induced glaucoma is a recognized risk, it is often preventable with proper awareness and patient education. Understanding what medications can cause glaucoma is critical for patients, especially those with pre-existing risk factors, to prevent vision loss.

With an annual incidence estimated at only about six cases per million people taking the drug, carbamazepine-associated agranulocytosis is an uncommon but potentially fatal adverse reaction. Although this severe blood disorder is rare, it necessitates careful monitoring and patient education for anyone prescribed carbamazepine.

According to a systematic review published in 2023, antibiotics were among the most common medications associated with drug-induced thrombocytopenic purpura (DITP). The appearance of purple or red spots, known as purpura, can be a surprising and worrying side effect of many common drugs. If you notice these skin lesions, especially after starting a new medication, it is crucial to investigate whether the drug you are taking is the cause.

Drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia (DITP) is estimated to affect about 10 people per million annually [1.7.1]. A critical question for clinicians has been: **can remdesivir cause thrombocytopenia**, especially when treating COVID-19, a disease also known to lower platelet counts? [1.6.3]

According to extensive literature reviews and case reports, a select group of cephalosporin antibiotics, particularly older generations with a specific side chain, have been historically and consistently linked to an increased risk of bleeding. Understanding which cephalosporins cause bleeding is crucial for managing patient risk, especially in those with pre-existing conditions like malnutrition or kidney failure.

Around 3 to 47 percent of patients receiving vancomycin intravenously may experience an adverse event known as vancomycin infusion reaction. This reaction is characterized by flushing and hypotension, which result from the drug's ability to cause vasodilation through a specific, non-allergic pathway.

According to research, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are the leading cause of drug-induced angioedema in the United States, accounting for 20 to 40 percent of all emergency department visits for the condition each year. This is one of the most serious answers to the question, 'Do drugs make your tongue swell?', as drug-induced swelling can be a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are the leading cause of drug-induced angioedema in the United States, accounting for 20% to 40% of emergency department visits for the condition each year. To answer the question, **what is the most common drug causing angioedema?**, we must look to this widely prescribed class of medications.