Table 2.
Experiences of medication side effects
| Side effect | Never | Rarely | Sometimes | Very often | Always |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n (%) | n (%) | n (%) | n (%) | n (%) | |
| Dizziness | 179 (44.75) | 61 (15.25) | 124 (31.00) | 31 (7.75) | 5 (1.25) |
| Fatigue | 79 (19.75) | 29 (7.25) | 128 (32.00) | 112 (28.00) | 52 (13.00) |
| Cough | 197 (49.25) | 80 (20.00) | 93 (23.25) | 24 (6.00) | 6 (1.50) |
| Headache | 89 (22.25) | 50 (12.50) | 186 (46.50) | 50 (12.50) | 25 (6.25) |
| Confusion | 201 (50.25) | 102 (25.50) | 88 (22.00) | 8 (2.00) | 1 (0.25) |
| Depressed mood | 189 (47.25) | 108 (27.00) | 85 (21.25) | 16 (4.00) | 2 (0.50) |
| Chest pain | 220 (55.00) | 56 (14.00) | 89 (22.25) | 27 (6.75) | 8 (2.00) |
| Difficulty breathing | 251 (62.75) | 49 (12.25) | 75 (18.75) | 17 (4.25) | 8 (2.00) |
| Fainting | 327 (81.75) | 35 (8.75) | 24 (6.00) | 10 (2.50) | 4 (1.00) |
| Constipation | 142 (35.50) | 97 (24.25) | 117 (29.25) | 28 (7.00) | 16 (4.00) |
| Diarrhoea | 206 (51.50) | 105 (26.25) | 77 (19.25) | 8 (2.00) | 4 (1.00) |
| Flu-like symptoms | 156 (39.00) | 130 (32.50) | 80 (20.00) | 25 (6.25) | 9 (2.25) |
| Swelling in the ankle/feet | 206 (51.50) | 51 (12.75) | 77 (19.25) | 47 (11.25) | 19 (4.75) |
| Increased frequency of urination | 82 (20.50) | 34 (8.50) | 99 (24.75) | 104 (26.00) | 81 (20.25) |
| Reduced sex drive | 86 (21.50) | 47 (11.75) | 105 (26.25) | 56 (14.00) | 106 (26.50) |
| Erectile dysfunction (impotence) | 335 (83.75) | 19 (4.75) | 19 (4.75) | 14 (3.50) | 13 (3.25) |
| Rash | 278 (69.50) | 75 (18.75) | 37 (9.25) | 9 (2.25) | 1 (0.25) |
| Difficulty sleeping | 167 (41.75) | 50 (12.50) | 111 (27.75) | 36 (9.00) | 36 (9.00) |
No = never, low = rarely, moderate = sometimes, high = very often and always. No/low side effects = 39.75 %, moderate side effects = 53.0 %, high side effects = 7.25 %