adverse reaction

USAGE SUMMARY

"adverse reaction" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a response to something, usually a medication or a treatment, that has an undesirable or undesirable effects. For example: The patient had an adverse reaction to the medication, leading to anaphylactic shock.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The chance of an adverse reaction increases".

The New York Times - Sports

This could create an adverse reaction this morning.

The Guardian - Business

But he said he was unflustered by the adverse reaction.

The Guardian

She has a very strong and often adverse reaction to 'traditional' medication.

The Guardian - Travel

For Shirley Griggs, 66, of Smithville, Mo., the adverse reaction was severe.

The New York Times - Health

It's difficult to know how upset Blunt is by the adverse reaction to his success.

The Guardian - Music

But Nic feels no pain or adverse reaction after his glutamate-stuffed meal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Clemens said he was told about the adverse reaction from family and friends.

The New York Times - Sports

"Depression is a known adverse reaction of Dianette," it said in a statement.

The Guardian

"I didn't notice any adverse reaction in the restaurant myself".

Independent

There have been no adverse reaction reports involving the latter product, called Hep-Lock heparin flush products.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing medical treatments, clarify the specific "adverse reaction" experienced to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify whether it was a rash, nausea, or more severe symptom.

Common error

Avoid using "adverse reaction" and "allergic reaction" interchangeably. An "allergic reaction" involves the immune system, while an "adverse reaction" encompasses any unintended and harmful response, regardless of the mechanism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adverse reaction" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies an unfavorable or harmful response to a treatment, substance, or situation, as indicated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "adverse reaction" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe an unfavorable response, primarily in medical and scientific fields. As Ludwig highlights, it often refers to negative consequences of treatments or exposures. The phrase's usage is predominantly formal, appearing frequently in news and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "negative reaction" or "side effect" exist, "adverse reaction" specifically denotes a harmful and unintended response. It's crucial to differentiate it from "allergic reaction", which involves the immune system. Understanding its proper context ensures clear and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Negative reaction

This alternative is more general, encompassing any negative response, not just medical or chemical.

Side effect

This alternative is specific to reactions caused by medications or treatments.

Harmful effect

This alternative focuses on the damaging consequences of the reaction.

Allergic reaction

This alternative specifies that the reaction is due to an allergy.

Unfavorable response

This alternative emphasizes the lack of a positive or desired effect.

Undesirable outcome

This alternative broadens the context to any unwanted result, not necessarily a reaction.

Complication

This alternative suggests a problem arising during a medical procedure or treatment.

Toxic effect

This alternative implies a poisonous or severely damaging reaction.

Detrimental consequence

This alternative highlights the damaging result of an action or substance.

Poor reaction

This alternative conveys a general sense of a bad or inadequate response.

FAQs

How is "adverse reaction" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "adverse reaction" is generally followed by a prepositional phrase indicating the cause, such as "adverse reaction to medication" or "adverse reaction from the vaccine".

What are some alternatives to "adverse reaction"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "negative reaction", "side effect", or "harmful effect".

Is it correct to say "an adverse reaction occurred" or "a adverse reaction occurred"?

The correct phrasing is "an adverse reaction occurred" because "adverse" begins with a vowel sound.

What's the difference between "adverse reaction" and "side effect"?

While often used interchangeably, "side effect" is broader, including both beneficial and harmful effects. "Adverse reaction" specifically refers to harmful and unwanted effects.