All drugs produce side effects, which occur for one of two reasons 5. First, a drug may produce an exaggerated effect on its target tissue when given at its correct dose. In this situation, the side effect is an extension of the therapeutic effect of the drug. For example, dangerously low blood sugar may result from taking an oral hypoglycemic agent. Second, a drug may produce an effect on nontarget tissues, so that the effects produced differ from those that are desired. For example, taking NSAIDS for pain control may result in Gl ulceration and bleeding. The FDA requires reporting of all known side effects, which can be found in pharmacology reference texts. Common side effects are presented in Figure I.
