What type of reactions are classified as ADRs?

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) refer specifically to harmful or unintended responses to a medication that occur at normal doses used for prophylaxis, diagnosis, or therapy. These reactions can vary in severity from mild to life-threatening and often require medical attention. Understanding ADRs is crucial for safe medication administration and patient care, as they can lead to complications or extended hospital stays.

In contrast, positive drug responses pertain to the intended therapeutic effects of a medication, while common side effects might occur predictably but are not necessarily classified as adverse unless they lead to significant discomfort or harm. Normal drug interactions do occur but do not inherently classify as extensive reactions unless they cause adverse effects. Thus, when considering the definition of ADRs, it's clear that the focus is on the negative impact a medication can have, making adverse drug reactions the appropriate classification.