Report on active surveillance for adverse events following the use of drug co-administrations in the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis

Overview

All country programmes that started mass drug administration (MDA) with WHOís recommended co-administration of drugs ñ diethylcarbamazine (DEC) + albendazole or ivermectin (MectizanÆ) + albendazole - were asked toundertake active surveillance, recording all adverse drug reactions. A standard questionnaire was designed for recording the adverse events in individuals given the co-administered drugs during the MDA campaigns. The type of adverse event and its severity was recorded. Severity was graded as mild, moderate, or severe. By 2002, data from 12 countries (13 programmes) were submitted to WHO for analysis. Out of the 20 093 respondents, 10 262 were administered DEC + albendazole and 9831 received ivermectin (MectizanÆ) + albendazole in the first round of MDA. Although 25.6% of the respondents reported an adverse event after taking the drugs, only 3.5% had experiences severe enough to prevent their continuing with daily activities, such as going to work or school.