Table 2

Onchocerciasis – SAEs, Drugs administered and the Level of Attribution

Category/Adverse event

Drug and Level of Attribution*

Mectizan^®

DEC

Metrifonate

Suramin

Amocarzine

Death

1

2

1

4**

1

Syndromes of collapse

"Therapeutic shock"

1

4

4

1

1

Recurrent SSPH

4

4

4

1

4

Idiosyncratic

1

1

1

4

1

Dermatology/Skin

Hyper-reactive response

4

4

1

1

1

Exfoliative dermatitis

1

1

1

4

1

Lymphatic syndromes

4

4

4

1

4

Gastrointestinal

Abdominal colic

1

1

4

1

1

GIT† ulceration

1

1

1

4

1

Chronic diarrhoea

1

1

1

4

1

Pulmonary

Bronchospasm

3

1

3

1

1

Bronchial ulceration

1

1

1

4

1

Musculoskeletal

Acute polyarthritis

1

4

4

1

1

Subacute polyarthritis

1

1

1

4

1

Hip immobilization

1

1

1

4

1

Neurological

Cerebrotoxicity

1

1

1

1

4

Vertigo

1

3

1

1

1

Parkinsonian-like state

1

3

1

1

1

Proximal muscle weakness

1

1

4

1

1

Constitutional symptoms

Prolonged fever

1

1

1

4

1

Prolonged fatigue

1

1

1

4

1

Asthenia

1

1

1

4

1

Prostration

1

4

1

4

1

Hepatic

Jaundice

1

1

1

2

2

Ocular/visual incapacity

1

4

1

4

1

* Level of attribution 1 = not related (or not described); 2 = unlikely; 3 = possible; 4 = probable; 5 = most probable ** Late deaths possibly related to treatment (Level 3). †GIT = gastrointestinal tract

Awadzi Filaria Journal 2003 2(Suppl 1):S6   doi:10.1186/1475-2883-2-S1-S6