SIDE EFFECTS
Side effects are problems that occur in addition to the desired therapeutic outcome or they are problems that occur when treatment goes beyond that which was desired. For example, a hemorrhage from the use of too much anticoagulant (such as heparin) is a side effect caused by treatment going beyond the desired effect. Conversely, common side effects of cancer treatment including fatigue, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, and mouth sores are instances of side effects that occur in addition to the desired therapeutic outcome.
Although the term side effects mostly is used to describe negative consequences, it can also apply to beneficial, but unintended, results of the use of a drug or a treatment. For example, the drug Bimatoprost, which is used to lower eye pressure in glaucoma patients and administered through eye drops, had an unintended side effect of lengthening and thickening the eyelashes of those using it. Since this is a characteristic that many women desire, the bimatoprost was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for cosmetic enhancement under the brand name Latisse.
Drug manufacturers are required to list all known side effects of their products. When side effects of necessary medication are severe, sometimes a second medication, lifestyle change, dietary change, or other measure may help to minimize them.
Additional Information about Side Effects
What are Side Effects? from the National Health Service (UK)
Side Effects: Questions and Answers from the Food and Drug Administration (USA)
Possible Side Effects from Vaccines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USA)
Related Topics
Adverse Drug Reaction
Iatrogenesis
Withdrawl Syndrome
Nosocomial Infection
Nocebo
Cascade effect
Paradoxical Reaction
Return from Side Effects to Medical Terms Sa-Sz