Drug-Induced Diseases: A Comprehensive Review of Classification, Risk Factors, and Prevention Strategies

Drug-induced diseases, called adverse drug reactions (ADRs), are defined by the World Health Organization as "any responses to a drug which are noxious and unintended, and which occurs at doses normally used in man for the prophylaxis, diagnosis, or therapy of disease, or the modification of physiological function" (1). ADRs are categorized into two types: Type A-reactions arising from augmented pharmacological effects and Type B-reactions arising from idiosyncratic effects (2). Drugs have the potential to inflict injuries on any organ and system, including but not limited to the liver, kidney, heart, and nervous system.