What is the main purpose of side-effect monitoring?

The main purpose of side-effect monitoring is to track and document adverse effects. This practice is crucial in pharmacotherapy as it helps healthcare providers identify any negative reactions a patient may have to a medication, ensuring patient safety and effective care. Monitoring side effects allows for timely intervention when adverse reactions occur, enabling healthcare professionals to make informed decisions about treatment adjustments or alternative therapies. By documenting these effects, practitioners can also contribute to a larger body of knowledge regarding medication safety and efficacy, which can inform future prescribing practices.

In contrast, while adjusting medication dosages, preventing medication theft, and assessing patient compliance are important aspects of medication management, they do not specifically focus on the monitoring and documentation of adverse reactions, which is the primary focus of side-effect monitoring.