Imagine you’re watching a movie. You’ve seen the trailer, read the reviews, and you have certain expectations about what’s going to happen. But then, there’s a plot twist that you didn’t see coming. This is similar to the difference between expected and unexpected adverse reactions in medicine.
Expected Adverse Reactions
Expected adverse reactions are like the parts of the movie that you saw in the trailer. They’re listed in the product information that comes with the drug, and they’re the reactions that healthcare professionals anticipate when prescribing the drug. These reactions are typically identified during clinical trials before the drug is approved for use.
For example, if you’re prescribed a medication for high blood pressure, an expected adverse reaction might be dizziness or fatigue. Your doctor would warn you about these potential side effects before you start taking the medication.
Unexpected Adverse Reactions
On the other hand, unexpected adverse reactions are like the plot twists in the movie that you didn’t see coming. They’re not listed in the product information, and they’re not something that healthcare professionals anticipate.
These reactions are usually identified after the drug has been approved and is in use by the general population. They can occur in just one individual or in a small number of people taking the drug.
For instance, if you’re taking a medication for high blood pressure and you start experiencing severe stomach pain, this could be an unexpected adverse reaction. It’s not a known side effect of the medication, and it’s not something your doctor would have warned you about.