The emphasis here is on common and/or serious side effects of commonly used drugs. While we have listed the side effects of the most common drug groups in Chapter 2 and extended this in Table 9.1 (and in doing so covered all examples in the PSA blueprint), you can reassure yourself by listing the five most common drugs for each body system and learning the common side effects.

It is advisable to know the difference between a common reaction and a dangerous one. For example, a common reaction to statins is myalgia and a dangerous one is rhabdomyolysis. Common reactions covered might include new renal impairment, hypokalaemia, hepatic dysfunction and urinary retention. This type of reaction is sometimes referred to as a Type A reaction – common, predictable and dose related. Type B reactions (sometimes called idiosyncratic) are bizarre and unexpected reactions related to gene/host/environmental interactions. Type A and B reactions are comprehensively discussed in pharmacology texts, but this summary should suffice for the PSA.