Table 4.
Examples of specific drugs/drug classes in patient-reported summary of product characteristics-associated symptomsa
| Symptom | Drug/drug classb | ATC | Number of patients reporting the symptom (% of users of drug from this drug class) | Number of patients using a drug from this drug class with the symptom listed as a side effecta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change of appetite | Blood glucose-lowering drugs, biguanides (metformin) | A10BA | 8 (18) | 45 |
| Dry mouth/thirst, mouth complaints | High ceiling diuretics (furosemide) | C03CA | 12 (57) | 21 |
| Antidepressants, non-selective monoamine reuptake inhibitors | N06AA | 7 (70) | 10 | |
| Nausea, vomiting | Blood glucose-lowering drugs, biguanides (metformin) | A10BA | 6 (13) | 45 |
| Abdominal pain | Blood glucose-lowering drugs, biguanides (metformin) | A10BA | 7 (16) | 45 |
| Diarrhoea | Blood glucose lowering drugs, biguanides (metformin) | A10BA | 14 (31) | 45 |
| Constipation | Natural opium alkaloids (oxycodone) | N02AA | 6 (67) | 9 |
| Antidepressants, non-selective monoamine reuptake inhibitors | N06AA | 5 (50) | 10 | |
| Eye irritation, vision problems | High ceiling diuretics (furosemide) | C03CA | 11 (52) | 21 |
| Antidepressants, non-selective monoamine reuptake inhibitors | N06AA | 5 (50) | 10 | |
| Ophthalmologics, prostaglandin analogues | S01EE | 7 (58) | 12 | |
| Muscle pain, joint pain | Bisphosphonates (alendronic acid) | M05BA | 6 (57) | 9 |
| Headache | Platelet aggregation inhibitors, (dipyridamole) | B01AC | 5 (33) | 15 |
| Organic nitrates | C01DA | 9 (30) | 30 | |
| Dizziness, vertigo, fainting | Platelet aggregation inhibitors, (dipyridamole) | B01AC | 6 (40) | 15 |
| Weakness, tiredness | Aldosterone antagonist (spironolactone) | C03DA | 9 (75) | 12 |
| β-Blocking agents, specific (metoprolol) | C07AB | 45 (58) | 78 | |
| Drowsiness | Benzodiazepine derivatives | N05BA | 8 (100) | 8 |
| Sweating | Antidepressants, non-selective monoamine reuptake inhibitors | N06AA | 5 (50) | 10 |
| Other antidepressants, venlafaxine | N06AX | 5 (83) | 6 |
ATC anatomic therapeutic chemical
aBased on all listed ‘very common’ side effects of drugs in use
bAll drug classes (drugs) on the ATC-4 level in the ATC classification system with ≥5 patients reporting a symptom are displayed. The generic drug name is displayed in parentheses when only one drug was involved. Drug classes composed of drugs with a different pharmacological profile (e.g. other antidepressants, N06AX) were not aggregated; when a single drug exceeded the cut-off point the drug name is specified