Clinical Alert

In 2002, a range of adverse drug reactions were reported, including a 63-year-old diabetic male developing vitamin B12 deficiency after five years on metformin, which was resolved with treatment and discontinuation of the drug. The FDA alerted about 83 cases of clozapine-related myocarditis, including 31 deaths. A 43-year-old male experienced reversible quinine-induced blindness, and pergolide was linked to hypersexuality in seven male Parkinson's patients. Allergic reactions were reported with ginkgo biloba and COX-2 inhibitors, and a drug interaction between citalopram and acenocoumarol caused elevated INR levels. A child had mydriasis from inhaled ipratropium bromide, and a 49-year-old developed capillary leak syndrome after interferon alfa therapy. Cerivastatin was associated with 73 fatal cases of rhabdomyolysis, leading to its market withdrawal. Additionally, clarithromycin and disulfiram interaction may cause hepatitis and toxic epidermal necrolysis, etanercept was linked to four cases of systemic lupus erythematosus, and allergic contact dermatitis was reported in patients using topical minoxidil, with propylene glycol as the allergen.