side effect
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side effect
An unwanted or unintended effect that occurs in addition to the intended main effect of a medication or medical treatment.
Müdigkeit ist eine häufige Nebenwirkung dieses Schmerzmittels.
Fatigue is a common side effect of this painkiller.
The word is made up of 'neben' (beside/secondary) and 'Wirkung' (effect). So it literally describes an effect that occurs 'neben' (beside) the actual main effect.
Vor der Einnahme des Medikaments sollten Sie die möglichen Nebenwirkungen lesen.
Before taking the medication, you should read about the possible side effects.
You can recognize whether the medical or figurative meaning is intended from the context. Terms like 'Medikament' (medication), 'Behandlung' (treatment), or 'Patient' (patient) point to the medical meaning, while 'Plan' (plan), 'Reform' (reform), or 'Entscheidung' (decision) point to the figurative consequence.
Eine häufige Nebenwirkung des Medikaments ist Schwindel.
A common side effect of the medication is dizziness.
In a medical context, 'Nebenwirkung' (side effect) is often used with certain verbs and adjectives. Typical phrases are 'Nebenwirkungen haben' (to have side effects), 'Nebenwirkungen treten auf' (side effects occur), as well as 'leichte' (mild), 'starke' (strong/severe), or 'seltene' (rare) side effects.
Bei einigen Patienten traten leichte Nebenwirkungen auf.
Some patients experienced mild side effects.
consequence / episode
'die Folge' and 'die Nebenwirkung' can both be a result of something. 'Folge' is general: it can be any effect after an action, decision, or event. 'Nebenwirkung' is more specific. With medication, it means an additional, usually unwanted effect alongside the main effect. Figuratively, it also means an unintended accompanying consequence. If you are speaking neutrally about cause and result, 'Folge' fits. If something happens additionally and was not planned, especially in medicine, 'Nebenwirkung' is more precise.
Nach der Tablette hatte sie eine leichte Nebenwirkung und wurde müde.
After taking the tablet, she had a mild side effect and became tired.
Die Folge des Fehlers ist, dass der Termin verschoben werden muss.
The consequence of the mistake is that the appointment has to be postponed.