The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) which is the National Coordination Centre (NCC) for Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) has flagged safety alerts against etoricoxib, torsemide and quetiapine & valproic acid interaction.

As per drug safety alert issued by IPC on July 28, 2021, etoricoxib, prescribed for the treatment of pain, swelling & inflammatory conditions due to arthritis is associated with acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), a rare skin reaction.

On the other hand, Torsemide is used for the treatment of oedema associated with congestive heart failure and hypertension. The preliminary analysis of ADRs from the PvPI database showed the drug causes DRESS Syndrome, (Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) which is a hypersensitivity reaction with an estimated mortality of up to 10 per cent.

Besides this, interaction between quetiapine and valproic acid which are often prescribed together in the treatment of bipolar disorder, leads to neuropsychiatric adverse events (depressed level of consciousness/coma & disorientation).

Quetiapine is indicated for the management of the manifestation of psychotic disorders (schizophrenia) and acute manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder.

Valproic acid is used as monotherapy and adjunctive therapy in the treatment of patients with complex partial seizures that occur either in isolation or in association with other types of seizure.It is also indicated as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy in the treatment of patients with complex partial seizure and manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder.