Fear of an adverse drug reaction may impact whether or not a patient takes a medication or vaccine.
Risk factors for fear of adverse drug reactions:
(1) mistrust
(2) sensational reports or misinformation in the media
(3) ignorance or lack of information about competing risks
(4) generalized anxiety or phobia
Negative impacts of fear about an adverse drug reaction:
(1) lack of participation in a clinical trial
(2) reduced effectiveness of a preventive strategy
(3) higher prevalence in the community
