Unintended and often undesirable effects of a medication or treatment in addition to its intended therapeutic effects.

Common Side Effects:

Mild and frequently observed reactions to a medication or treatment that are generally tolerable and expected in a significant percentage of patients.

Adverse Reactions:

Unwanted and potentially harmful effects resulting from the use of a medication or treatment, varying in severity from mild to severe.

Dose-Dependent:

Side effects that become more pronounced or frequent with higher doses of a medication, emphasizing the importance of proper dosage management.

Idiosyncratic Reaction:

An unpredictable and unique response to a medication not based on its known pharmacological properties, often unrelated to the dose or expected effects.

Placebo Effect:

Perceived side effects experienced by individuals receiving a placebo (inactive substance) due to the psychological expectation of experiencing them.

Off-Label Use:

The use of a medication for a purpose other than its approved indications, potentially leading to unexpected side effects due to the deviation from established guidelines.

Black Box Warning:

The most serious type of warning mandated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), highlighting potential life-threatening side effects associated with a particular medication.

Withdrawal Symptoms:

Unintended physiological or psychological effects experienced when discontinuing the use of a medication, especially after prolonged or high-dose use.

Drug Interaction:

Effects that occur when a medication interacts with another substance, such as another drug, food, or supplement, potentially altering its effectiveness or causing additional side effects.