statistics

Last reviewed 01/2018

Adverse drug reactions are seen in:

  • 10 to 20 % of hospital inpatients
  • 0.24 to 2.9% of deaths in inpatients
  • 0.3 to 5% of hospital admissions

In a patient on a number of drugs:

  • taking one to five drugs, 18.6% have side effects
  • taking six or more, 81% have side effects

Seven percent of adverse drug reactions are due to drug interactions, causing a third of the deaths due to side effects.