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Side Effects and Adverse Drug Reactions

An adverse drug reaction or side effect is an unintended and harmful response to a drug occurring at dosage levels for disease prevention, diagnosis, or therapy. While most adverse reactions are mild in nature and generally self-limiting, many can result in serious illness or death.

It has been well documented that older adults experience a higher number of adverse drug reactions. Risk factors that predispose older persons to this problem include:

their increased medication use
the type of medications prescribed
their altered pharmacological response
the increased number of illnesses
the greater severity severity of illness
the increased length of hospitalization
their lower compliance with medication.

Reduce Your Chances of an Adverse Drug Reaction!

Know what medications you have taken previously and preview any adverse reactions to prevent repetition of a previous untoward experience.
Take the minimum number of drugs necessary.
Take the lowest dose necessary to achieve optimal therapeutic benefit.
Watch carefully for symptoms or signs of adverse drug reactions.
Allow your doctor to monitor your therapeutic levels and to check for evidence of toxicity by having laboratory tests drawn.
Discontinue a drug as soon as your physician says it is no longer necessary.