An iatrogenic effect (or drug iatrogenesis) is an adverse event induced by taking a drug, after a medical procedure or the fitting of a medical device, for example. With which ? What dangers?
What is the definition of an iatrogenic effect?
“an iatrogenic effect – also called drug iatrogenesis – East an adverse event induced by medical care“, defines from the outset Annie-Pierre Jonville-Bera, pharmacologist. It looks like an undesirable side effect, which bothers the patient, and can take the form of an iatrogenic illness in some cases. The iatrogenic effect can occur following the taking of a drug, because of a medical act (error of intervention…) or a medical device (for example, after the fitting of breast prostheses). I
What are examples of iatrogenic effects?
The iatrogenic effects are many and varied. Regarding drug iatrogenesis, the most common and frequent examples and without gravity are nausea, diarrhea and loss of appetite. An allergy caused by a drug is also considered an iatrogenic effect, since the body makes antibodies against it. The allergy can in particular manifest itself at the level of the skin, cause asthma attacks, or in the most serious cases, reach the kidneys or be the cause ofangioedema.
What drugs can have iatrogenic effects?
By definition, all drugs can cause iatrogenic effects. “No drug is without risk” estimates Annie-Pierre Jonville-Bera. The most frequent example is that antibiotics which can cause diarrhoea, by killing bacteria present in the intestine and creating an imbalance there. The professional also cites the example of painkillers, which can sometimes be addictive. The fact that the “patient continues and is forced to increase the dose can be considered an iatrogenic effect. Generally, there is no product that does not give adverse effects“, continues the interlocutor. The whole thing is to properly assess the benefits and the risks before ingesting a product or a drug that can modify our condition.
What is the cause of drug iatrogenesis?
The process of drug iatrogenics can be explained as follows: by taking a drug, you change something in yourself. Taking any pharmaceutical product involves risks of iatrogenic effects, but these risks increase when the product in question is taken incorrectly. In other words, a patient who does not respect the dosage of a drug or who resorts to self-medication is more likely to suffer from iatrogenic effects than one who scrupulously respects the prescription. Some risk factors (age, deficiency, disease, or taking immunosuppressants), can also contribute to the onset of iatrogenic effects and should be taken into account before initiating treatment.
Health authorities and health professionals are doing their utmost to set up active prevention against the risk of the occurrence of iatrogenic effects, especially in fragile populations (elderly, immunocompromised, etc.). “When we put a drug on the market, we evaluate the benefit, and we face the risks“, says Annie-Pierre Jonville-Bera. The risks are listed on the leaflets of all medicines. While the most common and serious risks are noted, that does not mean that everyone who takes a drug will suffer from them. The key is to be aware of the risks that you can take by ingesting a drug or undergoing a medical procedure, and to discuss them with a health professional. If you ever suffer from symptoms that you think are related to taking a drug or a medical procedure, do not hesitate to inform your doctor who will confirm or refute your suspicions and notify a pharmacovigilance center, if necessary.
Thanks to Annie-Pierre Jonville-Bera, pharmacologist, president of the network of pharmacovigilance centers and manager of the Tours pharmacovigilance center.