AboutNigel Simmons Expertise I am happy to answer general questions on medicines and hospital care. If possible, please use approved / chemical names rather than brands which are not internationally recognised.
Like all health professionals I am bound by a duty of care which prevents me giving detailed information about medication or treatment of people other than the questioner.
I will endeavour to help wherever possible or point towards more appropriate advice. If however your question crosses too far into patient confidentiality, I hope you will understand why I cannot answer your question.
Consider.. would you want me to discuss your care with a friend or relative without your knowledge?
Experience Registered as a UK pharmacist in 1982 and have worked in a number of hospital and health management posts around the UK. Formerly Chief Pharmacist for a 440 bed general hospital in Cambridgeshire.
Past/Present clients Previously Sysop on CompuServe UK Professionals forum.
Question Can you tell me if any research has ever been done to determine which are the most common side effects of prescription drugs (such as nausea, diarrhea, drowsiness, dizziness, etc.). Thank you very much. Al Brown
Answer Al
Hopefully I have understood your question correctly.
I don't think any specific research will have been done to compare side effects of a range of drugs. Side effects are a result of certain properties of the drug, so while drugs within the same class are likely to show similar side-effect profiles, this cannot be mapped to a different class of drug.
Reported side effects can be similar, and it is recognised that gasto-intestinal side effects are frequently reported. However, this can sometimes be because patients who participate in drug trials are closely observed and will often report the smallest symtom, which may not necessarily be due to the drug itself.
