Drug Side Effect

• A side effect is usually regarded as an

undesirable secondary effect which occurs in
addition to the desired therapeutic effect of a
drug or medication. Side effects may vary for
each individual depending on the person's
disease state, age, weight, gender, ethnicity
and general health.
• Side effects can occur when commencing,
decreasing/increasing dosages, or ending a
drug or medication regimen. Side effects may
also lead to non-compliance with prescribed
treatment. When side effects of a drug or
medication are severe, the dosage may be
adjusted or a second medication may be
prescribed. Lifestyle or dietary changes may
also help to minimize side effects.
• An adverse drug reaction (ADR) is an injury caused by
taking a medication.[1]
• The meaning of this expression differs from the
meaning of "side effect", as this last expression might
also imply that the effects can be beneficial.[2] The
study of ADRs is the concern of the field known as
pharmacovigilance.
• An adverse drug event (ADE) refers to any injury
occurring at the time a drug is used, whether or not it
is identified as a cause of the injury.[1] An ADR is a
special type of ADE in which a causative relationship
can be shown.
 Underlying factors
• Old age7]
• Polypharmacy:
• Genetic factors:
• Hepatic or renal diseases:
• Serious diseases that could worsen if the dose
of the medicine is reduced.
 Cause
• Type A: Augmented pharmacologic effects -
dose dependent and predictable

• Type B: Idiosyncratic
 mechanism
• Abnormal pharmacokinetics due to
– genetic factors
– comorbid disease states
• Synergistic effects between either
– a drug and a disease
– two drugs