Drug Side Effects

Understanding Side Effects

Any medicine may produce unwanted or unexpected side effects (also known as adverse drug reactions). Many side effects are linked to the way the medicine works to treat a patient.

For instance, medicines known as beta-blockers treat high blood pressure by acting on particular sites in the muscles of blood vessels, causing the muscles to relax, reducing blood pressure. The medicine, however, also acts on sites in the heart, which may cause a side effect in some patients where their heart beat is slowed down.

Some side effects, however, are not linked in this way and can be unpredictable. As individuals, different patients may respond in different ways to the same medicine. For this reason, it is often difficult to predict how different patients will respond to a medicine, including whether they will experience any side effects.

No effective medicine is completely free of side effects, however, most side effects are relatively uncommon. In general, the majority of people who take a particular medicine do not experience any serious side effects. Even side effects that are described as common may only occur in a few people in every 100 who take the medicine.

Following drugs have been most frequently reported to PatientsVille.com: (Report Side Effect )

Understanding Side Effects...continued

When you decide with your doctor that you should take a medicine, you should consider not only the risk that you may possibly experience a side effect, but also the benefit that you will gain from the medicine, and the risks of not treating the condition. For instance, if you are taking a medicine to treat a life threatening illness, you might be more willing to accept the possibility of more serious side effects than if you are simply treating a cold or a headache.

When determining whether a medicine should be granted a licence for use, an analysis of the risk-benefit balance of the medicine is undertaken. With information from trials, the potential benefits of the medicine in curing or relieving the symptoms of the condition for which it is intended to be used are considered alongside:

the potential risks of the side effects the medicine might cause, and

the risk to the patient if the condition is not treated.

The medicine should only be given a license if the benefits of its use in patients are shown to justify or outweigh these risks.

Did you have a side effect? Share with community:

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Questions to date: 33. Page 1 of 4.

Marc Anthony Suico Cebu City	4:53am on Thursday, March 11th, 2010
Is it normal after having a DPT vaccine, the right leg of my 2-year-old daughter is now swelling and she cannot walk due to severe pain?
ROYAL MIETTE OSHAWA ONTARIO	5:59pm on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
MY DOCTOR GAVE ME APO QUETIAPINE FOR SLEEP BUT IM SCARE TO TAKE THEM IS IT SAFE TO TAKE IM 66 YEARS OLD
Sivarami Reddy Hyderabad	9:46am on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
I am using Amlodipin 5 MG for last 15 years, recently I have developed the skin alergy, black spots are emerged on the face.
Anonymous DUBAI	12:12am on Monday, February 22nd, 2010
WHATS THE WORSE SIDE EFFECT OF SALAZOPARINE
Kelsy az az	1:23pm on Monday, February 8th, 2010
I have asthma and adhd and am also college athlete and take advair and Vyvanse 60mg and have been experiencing and an increased heart rate. wondering why?
shusa Minnesota	9:20pm on Monday, January 18th, 2010
Can Concerta cause shingles (herpes zoster)? I just started taking Concerta (36 mg) and I immediately developed shingles. My doctor swears it's a coincidence, but I can't help but wonder. I had chicken pox as a child, but I've never had shingles befo... read more »
Lisa NJ	1:15pm on Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
Can Singulair cause neutropenia (low white blood count)
marge yokohama	8:56pm on Monday, December 14th, 2009
is there any alternative of bromocriptin (parlodel tab) for my pituitary adenoma? because of adverse drug reaction to my body are so many side effects and i cant take it again.
Ryan Wheeler Miami, FL	8:18pm on Monday, November 30th, 2009
How can I get rid of my migraine headaches?
KISHAN PRASAD PALAYPU HYDERABAD, INDIA	6:42pm on Friday, November 20th, 2009
WILL THERE BE PAIN IN ABDOMEN FOR USING GLUCOBAY 50 MG ONE AT BEDTIME AFTER MEAL.

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Flu Vaccine Side Effects Make sure you read about potential flu vaccine side effects. Most common flu shot side effects are Pyrexia, Pain, Injection site erythema, Vomiting.

Understanding Your Meds

At some time in our lives, we all have to go see a doctor, either for ourselves or a member of our family. Many times, the doctor will write a prescription, which may only be filled at a pharmacy. Today there are more and more prescriptions being written and filled. Many times these prescriptions are difficult to read. The pharmacist works hard to make sure you get the right medicine prescribed by your doctor. To get the fullest benefit from your prescription, avoid problems, and reduce possible side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist the following questions:

What is the name of the medicine? What is it supposed to do?

What is the dose of the medicine?

Are there food, drinks, other medicines, or activities I should avoid while taking this medicine?

What are the possible side effects of the medicine? What should I do if they occur?

How long will I need to take the medication?

When you pick up your medicine at the pharmacy, check the label carefully to be sure it is the medicine you were prescribed by your doctor. And ask your pharmacist any questions you might have about the prescription.

First-time Prescriptions

When your doctor prescribes a medication for you for the first time, make sure to tell him or her the following:

The names of all medicines you are currently taking, including both over-the-counter and prescription medication as well as any dietary supplements. It is important for your doctor to know this information in order to prescribe the medicine that will be the most helpful. (Keep a list of medicines and how to take them.)

Any concerns you have about using your medication. For example, if cost is a concern there may be a generic drug or another lower cost medicine you can take.

If you are allergic to any medication or have had troubling side effects from a medication that has been prescribed to you.

Any illnesses or problems for which another doctor or health professional is treating you.