article · International Journal of Research in Dermatology
Hypertension is increasingly prevalent globally and across Africa, leading to widespread use of antihypertensive therapies. A clinical study conducted at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital cardiology clinic in Enugu examined adverse cutaneous drug reactions among 70 adult hypertensive patients between January and December 2024. Using self-reporting and a medicine-induced symptom checklist, the investigation identified skin-related side effects in 17 percent of participants. The most frequent reactions recorded were pruritus and photosensitivity, each affecting 7 percent of the cohort, followed by eczema in 5.6 percent, and flushing and vasculitis in 4.2 percent each. Because skin reactions are easily visible, they can provide early alerts to help avoid more dangerous complications. Increasing awareness of these effects and identifying alternative treatments can help medical practitioners manage side effects, boost patient treatment compliance, and improve long-term clinical outcomes.
Antihypertensive drugs are crucial for managing high blood pressure, but adverse side effects can discourage patients from taking their prescribed treatments. Identifying and monitoring skin reactions offers a visible, early warning mechanism for healthcare providers. Understanding the local prevalence of these reactions helps doctors select suitable drug alternatives, preventing severe complications and ensuring patients stick to vital blood pressure regimens.
The findings provide clinical evidence to inform pharmacovigilance programmes, clinical decision-support systems, and healthcare training tools aimed at cardiologists and general prescribers. Because the data originates from a descriptive observational study of 70 patients, direct commercial applications are at an early research stage, serving primarily to support healthcare policy, drug safety monitoring, and clinical guidelines rather than immediate proprietary products.
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Background: Antihypertensive drugs are widely used for managing hypertension, especially during this period of increasing prevalence in Nigeria, Africa, and around the world. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of adverse cutaneous drug reactions (ACDRs) to antihypertensives among patients with systemic hypertension. Like other medication classes, side effects can occur and may affect different body systems. The scarcity of data on the profile of ACDRs to antihypertensive medications in Nigeria, despite their growing use, necessitated this study. Cutaneous side effects, being easily visible, could serve as early warning signs to prevent life-threatening complications; therefore, it is important to study them and use the findings to enhance prescriber awareness. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the cardiology clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) in Enugu from January to December 2024, among consenting, eligible hypertensive patients. Adverse cutaneous reactions were identified using a medicine-induced symptom checklist and self-report, based on the modified findings of Ranugha and Betkemr. Results: A total of 70 patients (37 females), aged 26 to 80 years, were studied. The prevalence of ACDRs to antihypertensive medications was 17%. The most common ACDRs to antihypertensive medications among these patients were pruritus (7%), photosensitivity (7%), eczema (5.6%), flushing (4.2%), and vasculitis (4.2%). Conclusions: There are ACDRs to antihypertensive medications among Nigerians. Increasing awareness of these and potential drug alternatives among prescribers and patients will reduce drug-induced morbidity, leading to better compliance and health outcomes.
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DOI: 10.18203/issn.2455-4529.intjresdermatol20262837
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