A Descriptive Study of Drug-induced Clostridium difficile

The most common pathogen responsible for diarrhea connected with healthcare is Clostridium difficile. There are several causes of its occurrence but the greatest significant risk factor for the development of C. difficile infection is antibiotic exposure. The present study aimed to describe the reports of drug-induced C. difficile using the FAERS database. During the study period, 29095 reports were submitted to FAERS. The most reported drugs were adalimumab (5.60%), infliximab (4.07%), lenalidomide (3.73%), cefuroxime axetil (3.46%), prednisone (3.14%), cyclophosphamide (3.14%), metronidazole (3.05%), amoxicillin\clavulanate potassium (2.71%), and ciprofloxacin (2.63%). C. difficile infection may be avoided if the right antibiotic treatment is chosen, and infection control procedures are followed.

Automated summary

Clostridium difficile is the most common pathogen causing healthcare-associated diarrhea, and its primary risk factor is antibiotic exposure. Analysis of reports in the FAERS database reveals commonly reported drugs associated with drug-induced C. difficile infection.