How to Talk With Your Prescriber About Side Effects

Why side effects are worth raising

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says both prescription and over-the-counter drugs have side effects, also called adverse reactions. They can range from minor problems to life-threatening events. Things like age, other medicines, supplements and other health conditions can affect who has them.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) notes that medications affect people in different ways, and that it may take several tries to find the one that works best with the fewest side effects. That makes your report part of the treatment, not a complaint about it. Your prescriber cannot adjust a plan for something they do not know about.

The FDA also notes that side effects can show up when you start a new drug or supplement, stop a drug you have taken for a while, or increase or decrease a dose. Those moments are worth paying extra attention to.

Keep simple notes

Memory gets fuzzy between visits, especially when you are not feeling well. A few lines in your phone or a notebook can help. You do not need medical words: describe what you noticed in your own language.

• What you noticed, in plain words.
• When it started, and whether it followed a new medicine or a change in dose.
• How often it happens and how strong it feels.
• Whether it affects sleep, work, school, relationships or daily tasks.
• Anything new you started, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins or supplements.

What to say at your visit

Start with what matters most to you. If one effect is making it hard to keep taking the medicine, say so plainly. Prescribers need honest information, and it helps to know what you would most like to change.

The FDA suggests working with your health care professional to see whether adjusting the dose or switching to a different medicine could ease a side effect, and notes that other options, such as a lifestyle change, may be suggested. Those are decisions for you and your prescriber to make together.

Useful questions include: Is this a known effect of this medicine? Is it likely to ease with time? What should I do if it gets worse? Which signs mean I should call you before our next visit?

Do not stop or change a medicine on your own

When a side effect is unpleasant, stopping can feel like the obvious fix. NIMH advises that people should not stop taking a prescribed medication without the help of a health care provider, who can adjust the plan safely. It says stopping a medication too soon may cause unpleasant or harmful side effects.

The same goes for changing how much you take or when you take it. Call your prescriber instead. NIMH says to call a health care provider right away if you have problems with your medication or are worried it might be doing more harm than good.

Where to read reliable information

The FDA says you can ask your health care professional for information about a drug when you receive a prescription. FDA-approved labeling for patients includes Medication Guides and Patient Information, which list possible common and serious side effects. The pharmacy label and any stickers on the bottle or box may also explain how to take the drug and possible side effects.

MedlinePlus, from the National Library of Medicine, has a drug information section that covers side effects and precautions for prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Pharmacists are another good resource: MedlinePlus notes they provide information about medicines and consult with providers about interactions and side effects.

Reading about a medicine can raise new questions. Bring them to your prescriber rather than deciding alone.

When it is urgent

Some reactions cannot wait for an appointment. If a reaction feels serious or life-threatening, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. For anything that worries you but is not an emergency, call your prescriber right away rather than waiting for your next visit.

The FDA runs MedWatch, a program for reporting serious problems with medicines. You or your health care provider can report a serious side effect there. Reporting does not replace calling your prescriber.

How we can help

A licensed psychiatrist on our team, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), offers medication management by secure video for people physically located in Pennsylvania during each visit. Follow-up visits are where side effects, questions and changes get talked through. Read more about online psychiatry in Pennsylvania, or, if you are moving your care, switching psychiatrists.

Our therapists do not prescribe, but they can help you keep track of how you are feeling between visits. Therapy is online for clients physically located in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Arizona, Colorado or Florida during sessions. Outside Pennsylvania, medication questions go to your own prescriber. Learn about anxiety therapy, or start on our booking page.

If you are in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911. Locascio Wellness does not provide emergency services.