Tag: Idiosyncratic toxicity

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) account for an estimated 6.5% of hospital admissions in the United Kingdom [1.2.5]. A small but significant portion of these are due to a phenomenon known as **what is idiosyncratic toxicity?**: a severe, unpredictable reaction that occurs in a small subset of individuals taking a specific drug [1.2.1, 1.2.5].

Over decades of research, chemically reactive intermediates formed during drug metabolism have been extensively investigated for their potential to cause serious adverse drug reactions. This process, known as reactive toxicity, describes the harmful effects that occur when a drug's metabolic byproducts damage cellular components, potentially leading to organ failure. While often rare and unpredictable, understanding this mechanism is critical for modern drug discovery and patient safety.