A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF REPORTED ADR PATTERN AND GLOBAL SAFETY OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) represent a critical public health burden, with the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System documenting nearly 175,000 deaths and over 1.25 million major adverse events in 2022. Pharmacovigilance, the systematic detection, assessment, and prevention of ADRs, has evolved from traditional spontaneous reporting systems to incorporate advanced methodologies including electronic health records, real-world data analytics, and artificial intelligence. This article provides a comprehensive review of current pharmacovigilance practices, data sources, and global monitoring systems, with particular emphasis on adverse drug reaction patterns across antihypertensive drug classes—the most frequently prescribed medications for hypertension management. The safety profiles of ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, beta-blockers, and direct vasodilators are examined in detail, highlighting class-specific adverse effects and clinical implications. Additionally, emerging artificial intelligence technologies and their role in enhancing signal detection and pharmacovigilance efficiency are discussed. Continued investment in pharmacovigilance infrastructure, particularly in resource-limited settings, combined with advancement of AI-driven detection systems, is essential for strengthening global drug safety surveillance and improving patient outcomes. Keywords: Pharmacovigilance, Adverse drug reactions, Antihypertensive medications, Drug safety, Artificial Intelligence.