What Drugs May Do

Innumerable symptoms and physical findings are caused by the drugs we commonly use in practice. An adverse drug reaction (ADR), as defined by the World Health Organization, is any noxious, unintended, and undesired effect that occurs at normal drug doses. ADRs can be mild (e.g., nausea, drowsiness) or severe (e.g., neutropenia, hypotension). ADRs are a more likely to occur in very young or elderly patients as well as in those taking multiple medications. Below is a partial list of some cardiovascular ADRs and some of the classes of drugs that may cause them.

A REMINDER: Not all drugs in a particular class carry equivalent risk. This table may look frightening, but it is intended to instill caution in clinicians who prescribe or administer medications.

Adverse Drug Reaction	Possible Causative Agents
Cardiorespiratory arrest	Anxiolytics
Chest pain	Antidepressants Bronchodilators
Dysrhythmias	Antiepileptics Antiypsychotics Anxiolytics Bronchodilators Central nervous system stimulants Oral contraceptives Tricyclic antidepressants
Hypertension	Antidepressants Central nervous system stimulants Oral contraceptives
Hypotension	Antidepressants Antipsychotics Anxiolytics Bronchodilators Central nervous system stimulants Opiods
Orthostatic hypotension	Antidepressants
Palpitations	Antidepressants Bronchodilators Central nervous system stimulants
Prolongation of QT interval	Antibiotics Antidepressants Bronchodilators Decongestants
Syncope	Antidepressants Antipsychotics
Tachycardia	Antidepressants Antipsychotics Bronchodilators Central nervous system stimulants
Thrombotic disorders	Oral contraceptives Tricyclic antidepressants