58 lines
4.5 KiB
Markdown
58 lines
4.5 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: "Adverse effect"
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chunk: 3/3
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source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adverse_effect"
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category: "reference"
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tags: "science, encyclopedia"
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date_saved: "2026-05-05T07:25:53.424672+00:00"
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instance: "kb-cron"
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---
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==== Examples with specific medications ====
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Abortion, miscarriage or uterine hemorrhage associated with misoprostol (Cytotec), a labor-inducing drug (this is a case where the adverse effect has been used legally and illegally for performing abortions)
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Addiction to many sedatives and analgesics, such as diazepam, morphine, etc.
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Birth defects associated with thalidomide
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Bleeding of the intestine associated with aspirin therapy
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Cardiovascular disease associated with COX-2 inhibitors (i.e. Vioxx)
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Deafness and kidney failure associated with gentamicin (an antibiotic)
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Death, following sedation, in children using propofol (Diprivan)
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Depression or hepatic injury caused by interferon
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Diabetes caused by atypical antipsychotic medications (neuroleptic psychiatric drugs)
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Diarrhea caused by the use of orlistat (Xenical)
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Erectile dysfunction associated with many drugs, such as antidepressants
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Fever associated with vaccination
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Glaucoma associated with corticosteroid-based eye drops
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Hair loss and anemia may be caused by chemotherapy against cancer, leukemia, etc.
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Headache following spinal anaesthesia
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Hypertension in ephedrine users, which prompted FDA to remove the dietary supplement status of ephedra extracts
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Insomnia caused by stimulants, methylphenidate (Ritalin), Adderall, etc.
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Lactic acidosis associated with the use of stavudine (Zerit, for HIV therapy) or metformin (for diabetes)
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Mania caused by corticosteroids
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Liver damage from paracetamol
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Melasma and thrombosis associated with use of estrogen-containing hormonal contraception, such as the combined oral contraceptive pill
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Priapism associated with the use of sildenafil
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Rhabdomyolysis associated with statins (anticholesterol drugs)
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Seizures caused by withdrawal from benzodiazepines
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Drowsiness or increase in appetite due to antihistamine use. Some antihistamines are used in sleep aids explicitly because they cause drowsiness.
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Stroke or heart attack associated with sildenafil (Viagra), when used with nitroglycerin
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Suicide, increased tendency associated to the use of fluoxetine and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants
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Tardive dyskinesia associated with use of metoclopramide and many antipsychotic medications
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== Controversies ==
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Sometimes, putative medical adverse effects are regarded as controversial and generate heated discussions in society and lawsuits against drug manufacturers. One example is the recent controversy as to whether autism was linked to the MMR vaccine (or to thiomersal, a mercury-based preservative used in some vaccines). No link has been found in several large studies, and despite removal of thimerosal from most early childhood vaccines beginning with those manufactured in 2003, the rate of autism has not decreased as would be expected if it had been the causative agent.
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Another instance is the potential adverse effects of silicone breast implants, which led to class actions brought by tens of thousands of plaintiffs against manufacturers of gel-based implants, due to allegations of damage to the immune system which have not yet been conclusively proven. In 1998, Dow Corning settled its remaining suits for $3.2 Billion and went into bankruptcy.
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Due to the exceedingly high impact on public health of widely used medications, such as hormonal contraception and hormone replacement therapy, which may affect millions of users, even marginal probabilities of adverse effects of a severe nature, such as breast cancer, have led to public outcry and changes in medical therapy, although its benefits largely surpassed the statistical risks.
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== See also ==
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== References ==
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== External links ==
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Patient Safety Network – includes a glossary and articles on adverse effects, drug reactions, medical error, iatrogenesis, among others.
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Australian Adverse Drug Reactions Bulletin – published bimonthly
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MedEffect Canada (Health Canada)
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Medication Errors—from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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Medical Product Safety Information – MedWatch lists safety alerts for drugs, biologics, devices and dietary supplements, recalls, market withdrawals, public health advisories and links
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Medical Devices Safety National Library of Medicine (Medline Plus, useful lists of conventional drug and medical device articles and websites)
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When Medicine Hurts Instead of Helps – June 1998 report by the Alliance for Aging Research. |