ABSTRACT
Background: Cancer is a multi-cellular disease which can arise from any cell type and organs. Adverse drug reactions (ADR) are undesirable consequence of cancer chemotherapeutic drugs. A great importance has to be given for their assessment, detection, monitoring, reporting and preventing these ADR for the beneficial effects of the patients. So the present study was undertaken for the purpose of detecting and quantifying those adverse reactions which is of some importance in therapeutic setting.Methods: A prospective observational study conducted in chemotherapy ward, male and female patients of any age receiving cancer chemotherapy and presenting with ADR’s in duration of 3 months.Results: 160 patients were observed. Out of 160 patients 123 presented with ADR’s. Most common ADR’s were loss of appetite (67.6), diarrhea (61.8%), vomiting (21.5%), nausea (17.7%), anemia (24.7%). Cisplatin, paclitaxel, oxaliplatin, doxorubicin, gefitinib are common drugs causing ADR’s.Conclusions: Cancer chemotherapeutic drugs are associated with various adverse reactions. This study shows the importance of active monitoring of these reactions and measures to prevent their effects early in the treatment of cancer.