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Table 2 Experiences of medication side effects

From: A psychosocial perspective of medication side effects, experiences, coping approaches and implications for adherence in hypertension management

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)

  1. 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 %