What Actually Produces the Adverse Drug Reactions that are Seen Clinically?
Adverse drug reactions in a persons body can occur from an immunologic process or through non-immunologic responses. The immunologic reaction involves antibodies that are normally produced by the body. In general terms, the human body has a group of cells that belong to the immune system. The basic cells are labeled T-cells and B-cells. The T-cells are further broken down into T-4 cells and T-8 cells. The T-4 cell (which usually accounts for about 70% of the T-cell population) is called the helper-inducer cell and is the “captain” of the ship. This cell is responsible for identifying substances that do not normally belong in the body, such as viruses, bacteria, pollens, and drugs or medications, etc. When the T-4 cell identifies one of these substances, it “activates” the immune system by informing the T-8 cells and the B-cells. The B-cells actually produce the antibodies or immunoglobulins that are found in our bodies. The primary antibodies that are formed are IgM, IgG, IgA, and IgE.
