noun a secondary, typically undesirable effect of a drug or medical treatment
In medicine, a side effect is an unintended or secondary effect of a drug or medical treatment. It can be either beneficial or harmful.
Healthcare providers educate patients about potential side effects of treatments and medications to ensure informed decision-making.
In psychiatry, side effects of psychotropic medications are carefully monitored to manage risks and optimize treatment outcomes.
In pharmacology, side effects are important considerations when prescribing medications, as they can impact patient outcomes.
In clinical trials, researchers closely monitor side effects of experimental treatments to assess their safety and efficacy.
In the context of writing, a side effect may refer to unintended consequences of a particular action or decision made by a character in a story. It can also refer to the unintended impact of a particular event or situation on the overall plot or theme of a piece of writing.
In psychology, a side effect may refer to unintended consequences of a particular treatment or intervention. For example, a medication prescribed for one issue may have side effects that impact other aspects of a person's mental or emotional well-being. Psychologists may also consider the side effects of certain behaviors or thought patterns on a person's mental health.