Various solutions have been attempted to minimize the related
side effects without compromising the therapeutic efficacy of BCG therapy.
Scarborough adds that talking with other patients can play a major role in alleviating chemotherapy
side effects. "Support groups or individual counseling can be very effective in helping cancer patients and their loved ones navigate treatment
side effects, family concerns, work issues, and the anxiety and depression that can accompany cancer," she says.
Of these patients, 3 (3,1%) stated that they were not informed about the duration of treatment, 4 (4,1%) stated that they discontinued treatment as her symptoms relieved, 36 (37.5%) stated that iron medications caused gastrointestinal
side effects and of them, 24 (66,6%) stated that they did not continue medications due to these
side effects, 36 (37.5%) patients stated that the medication caused weight gain and of them, 15 (41,6%) stated that they did not comply with the therapy due to this reason (Table I and II).
Side effects may include low blood pressure accompanied by feelings of dizziness and lightheadedness, an irritating dry cough, and increased potassium levels.
But some patients are quite adamant that as long as there's even the slightest chance of them having a
side effect, they don't want to take it.
Significant
side effects as reported by PCPs and patients
Side effects are not pleasant to experience but did you know that you can help to build up vital information by reporting your
side effect to the Yellow Card Scheme?
*
Side effects may include drowsiness, vomiting, nausea, liver toxicity and dry eye.
To clear some of the haze surrounding
side effects, scientists from Harvard Medical School and Children's Hospital Boston created a network linking 809 medications to 852
side effects known as of 2005.
*
side effects that are occasionally reported but are probably unrelated to medication use.
At baseline the participants completed surveys about their expectations regarding the
side effects, and they were randomized to receive one of the two formulations.
Media reports questioning the safety of statins are raising concerns about
side effects such as muscle pain.