Drug Reaction Leaves 27 Maternity Ward Patients Ill at Sirkazhi Government Hospital

A suspected adverse drug reaction at the Government Maternity and Child Care Centre in Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai district, left 27 women, including pregnant patients and new mothers, with sudden illness on the night of September 17, 2025.

According to hospital officials, around 8:30 pm patients were administered antibiotics including Cefotaxime and Ceftriaxone. Shortly after, several women developed fever, chills, and shivering.

Doctors immediately provided alternative medicines such as chlorpheniramine, dexamethasone, and hydrocortisone. The symptoms subsided, and all patients were reported to be stable. One pregnant woman at risk of premature delivery was referred to Chidambaram Government Hospital for further management.

Cefotaxime and Ceftriaxone are third-generation cephalosporins commonly used in hospitals to treat serious bacterial infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis. ¹

• Ceftriaxone has a longer half-life, which allows for once-daily dosing and makes it convenient in clinical practice.

• Cefotaxime may be slightly more effective against certain pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but usually requires more frequent dosing.

While generally considered safe, these drugs can occasionally cause adverse drug reactions (ADR), which are unwanted or harmful responses that occur after the normal use of a medicine. Such reactions may include allergic responses, rashes, gastrointestinal issues, or, rarely, more severe symptoms like fever, chills, or breathing difficulty. The risk of ADR is higher in patients with a history of allergy to beta-lactam antibiotics.

An adverse drug reaction (ADR) is a harmful or unwanted effect that happens after taking a medicine at its normal dose. Reactions can be mild, like nausea or skin rashes, or more serious, such as breathing problems, fever, or severe allergic responses. Monitoring and reporting ADRs help improve patient safety.

The drug inspector has collected samples of the medicines administered the previous day, which are now undergoing testing.

A senior medical officer told The New Indian Express that all affected patients are currently stable and remain under continuous observation.

The official stated that the exact cause of the adverse reactions will be determined after analyzing the medicines and injections given to patients.

During his visit to Karur on September 18, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian said that the reaction may have resulted from an improper mixture ratio of the drugs. He confirmed that all patients were stable and assured that an official inquiry is in progress. Action will be taken if negligence is confirmed.

Mayiladuthurai Collector HS Srikanth, along with health department officials, also visited the patients at the hospital to assess the situation.

Reference:

1. Roca, Isabel, et al. “Cefotaxime and Ceftriaxone: Safety and Adverse Drug Reactions in Clinical Use.” Clinical Infectious Diseases 63, no. 9 (2016): 1247–55. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciw567.

2. World Health Organization. 2023. Adverse Drug Reactions. Geneva: World Health Organization.

(Rh/Eth/ARC/MSM)