Adverse effects vs side effect

an adverse effect is an unintended, undesirable occurrence involving medications that can be from no effects to mild discomfort to life-threatening complications. a side effect is expected from the therapy and not wanted. not sure if that makes sense. like for example in a pain med human trials for example most of them might show side effects of dizziness or constipation but there may be one or two who experience alertness and diarrhea.

'Adverse Event,' Not the Same as 'Side Effect'

1 hour ago, chare said:

'Adverse Event,' Not the Same as 'Side Effect'

In our defense, I think some of the confusion is understandable. I decided to check out a package insert to see whether my own use of the two phrases is supported by the terminology used therein. I chose oxycodone because many of us have, previously at least, been quite familiar with it. The package insert calls things like nausea and constipation adverse events (p 1) and side effects (p 30), and also includes a lot of warnings about some effects without calling them either thing.

Although I do not use the terms interchangeably, I suppose I don't completely get how the author would distinguish between a mild Type A adverse event/reaction and a side effect.

I'm still unsure how to differentiate between the two. We have medication grids we're suppose to fill out with two separate catagories for side effects and adverse effects. I don't see how my drug guide book distinguishes between the two. It's really confusing.

I am an NP. I typically call it a side effect when the response is mild, temporary, and expected with the class of drug.

An adverse effect is more serious, potentially even dangerous.