Adverse drug event
BMJ 2003; 326 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.326.7397.1018 (Published 10 May 2003) Cite this as: BMJ 2003;326:1018
- Nick Dunn (nick.dunn@soton.ac.uk), senior lecturer in primary medical care
- School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 5ST
A 72 year old woman on holiday in your area consults you four weeks after starting treatment with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for her painful knee. She complains of “a reaction” to the drug. She says she has had problems with similar drugs previously, but this drug is new and supposedly has fewer side effects. She says she has been feeling weak and giddy and has developed a widespread itchy skin rash. She tells you, however, that the drug was effective as a pain reliever. You find that she also has angina and high blood pressure.
Reporting adverse events in the United Kingdom
Adverse events should be reported on the yellow forms in the back of the British National Formulary to the Committee on Safety of Medicines. This is especially important for drugs listed in the formulary with a black triangle next to the drug's name (any new NSAID would carry this symbol). You can get advice from the …