What are side effects in the context of medication?

In the context of medication, side effects are defined as any effect other than the desired therapeutic effect that the medication is intended to provide. This encompasses a wide variety of reactions or consequences that may arise from taking a medication, which are not the primary goal of treatment. For example, while a pain reliever might be intended to reduce discomfort, it could also cause drowsiness or nausea, marking these responses as side effects.

To further clarify, the concept of side effects includes both known and unknown effects of a medication; therefore, focusing solely on known effects would not provide a complete picture. It is also important to distinguish side effects from withdrawal symptoms, which specifically refer to the physiological and psychological effects experienced when a person reduces or stops taking a medication after prolonged use. In this sense, the broader definition of side effects captures the full spectrum of potential reactions beyond what is desired for therapeutic outcomes.