Läkemedelsorsak

Läkemedelsorsak, a Swedish term, translates to "drug-induced" or "medication-related" in English. It refers to a condition, symptom, or adverse event that is caused by a medication. This can encompass a wide range of effects, from mild side effects to severe and life-threatening reactions. The concept is central to pharmacovigilance, the science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding, and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug-related problem.

When a läkemedelsorsak is suspected, healthcare professionals investigate whether a patient's symptoms or condition began or worsened following the initiation of a specific drug. This involves considering the drug's known side effect profile, the patient's medical history, other medications they are taking (drug interactions), and the timing of symptom onset relative to drug exposure. Discontinuing or adjusting the medication is often a key step in managing a läkemedelsorsak. It is a crucial aspect of patient safety in healthcare to identify and address these drug-induced issues.