Anaphylactic reaction to a dietary supplement containing willow bark.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of anaphylaxis resulting from the use of a willow bark-containing dietary supplement in a patient with a history of an aspirin allergy. CASE SUMMARY: A 25-year-old white woman presented to the emergency department of a community teaching hospital with anaphylaxis requiring epinephrine, diphenhydramine, methylprednisolone, and volume resuscitation to which she responded favorably. Medication history revealed that she had ingested 2 capsules of Stacker 2 (NVE Pharmaceuticals, Newton, NJ), a dietary supplement promoted for weight loss, prior to experiencing her initial symptoms. Among other active ingredients, this product contains willow bark. Of significance is that this patient also reported a history of allergy to acetylsalicylic acid. No other causes for anaphylaxis were identified. She continued to receive routine supportive care and the remaining hospital course was uncomplicated. DISCUSSION: Dietary supplements, including herbal products, are used by many individuals who consider them to be inherently safe despite limited regulatory oversight by the Food and Drug Administration. While there may be value to specific botanical ingredients, a potential for adverse effects also exists. The popular product consumed by our patient is used for weight loss and contains willow bark, a source of salicylates. Based on the Naranjo probability scale, it is probable that this case of anaphylaxis was due to this dietary supplement. CONCLUSIONS: The use of any willow bark-containing dietary supplement may present a risk of anaphylactic reaction to patients with a history of allergy to salicylates. Clinicians need to recognize the potential for adverse effects from dietary supplements.

Hospital admissions resulting from preventable adverse drug reactions.

BACKGROUND: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a significant cause of hospital admissions. These events can lead to significant morbidity and mortality and financial costs. ADRs that may be preventable might be considered a form of medication error. OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential preventability of ADRs directly related to a patient's hospital admission. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 437 ADRs occurring during an 11-month period was conducted at a university hospital. A subset of these events leading to hospital admissions was identified for further review. Those that resulted in admission were further examined to determine probability of causality, severity, and preventability. RESULTS: Over 11 months, 158 ADRs were directly related to hospital admission. The relationship of these admissions to drug exposure was determined to be probable or highly probable in 154 (97.4%) of these cases. From this group, 96 (62.3%) of these events were considered potentially preventable, with 23 (24%) considered severe to life-threatening. Characteristics associated with these ADRs included documentation of a toxic drug concentration or abnormal laboratory value (80%), inadequate monitoring of a patient's drug therapy (67%), inappropriate dose (51%), patient noncompliance (33%), drug-drug interaction (26%), contraindication to therapy (3%), and documented allergy (1%). These ADRs resulted in 595 hospital days, with an average length of stay of 6.1 days. CONCLUSIONS: ADRs leading to hospital admissions are often preventable. Approximately 25% of these events were serious to life-threatening. Most resulted from inadequate monitoring of therapy or inappropriate dosing. Patient noncompliance and drug interactions were also common causes. Multidisciplinary prevention strategies among physicians, pharmacists, other healthcare professionals, and patients focusing on communication and education should be targeted.