ADVERSE DRUG REACTION PATTERN OF ANTI CANCER DRUGS USED IN LYMPHOMA PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

OBJECTIVE 1.To study the incidence and pattern of adverse drug reactions of anti-cancer drugs prescribed in  patients with lymphomas. 2.To assess the severity of adverse drug reactions of anti-cancer drugs. METHODOLOGY The study was conducted in patients receiving anticancer drugs for lymphoma in department of oncology in a tertiary care hospital after obtaining approval from Institutional ethics committee. Patients receiving the following drugs Doxorubicin, Vinblastin, Vincristine, Cyclophosphamide, Rituximab, Prednisolone and Dacarbazine were included and patients receiving concomitant radiotherapy were excluded. The following were recorded- age, gender, Anti-cancer drugs prescribed, Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR). Causality assessment of the ADR was done by Naranjos causality assessment scale. Severity was assessed using  Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.03 June 2010(CTCAE).RESULTSAmong 50 patients enrolled 43 had ADR. Most common adverse drug reactions observed were gastro intestinal (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomatitis) and alopecia. Myelosuppression (anemia. thrombocytopenia) was the next common ADR observed. Cardiotoxicity observed in one patient. Causality assessment by Naranjos scale showed probable category- 2.3 and in possible- 97.7. Severity  assessment showed the ADRs in mild catogery to be 58 and in moderate category 40. CONCLUSION Nausea and vomiting were the most frequently reported adverse effect followed by gastritis, anemia and alopecia. 97 of ADRs come under possible category. Mild and moderate grade ADRs constitute 98 in           severity scale.