What term describes the adverse reactions that can occur with drug use?

The term that describes the adverse reactions that can occur with drug use is "side effects." Side effects are unintended, often harmful effects that occur in addition to the desired therapeutic effects of a medication. They can range from mild symptoms to more severe reactions that require medical attention. Understanding side effects is crucial for healthcare providers and patients alike, as it helps in managing medications and improving overall treatment safety.

In contrast, pharmacodynamics refers to the study of how a drug affects the body, including the mechanisms through which drug actions occur and the relationship between drug concentration and effect. Therapeutic effects are the desired, beneficial responses to a medication, which differ from the unintended experiences associated with side effects. Drug interactions involve the ways in which different drugs influence each other's effects in the body and can also result in adverse reactions, but they are distinct from the broader category of side effects that can occur with a single medication. Hence, the correct terminology to encapsulate the unwanted adverse reactions to drugs is side effects.