How To Deal With Medication Side Effects: 6 Tips That Can Help

Did you know that over 1.5 million people end up in emergency rooms across the U.S. each year due to adverse drug events? While medication can help you feel better, it can also cause unwanted side effects. 

You could experience nausea when beginning a new medication, feel dizzier than normal when you take a dose, or notice changes in your sleep habits, mood, or appetite. While some side effects are minimal and resolve on their own as your body adapts, others can affect your quality of life or indicate a serious problem. 

Instead of quitting your medication, knowing how to react is important. It is also important to contact your doctor promptly if you think you may be experiencing side effects from your medication. Read on to learn how to use your medication more safely and confidently.

How To Manage Medication Side Effects 

There’s no need to panic when you notice side effects; here’s how to handle unwanted symptoms safely and effectively:

1. Know the Common Side Effects of Your Medication

Review the information sheet provided by your pharmacy before you leave. Ask your pharmacist to point out common physical side effects. Understanding the difference between mild side effects (such as brief dry mouth or mild fatigue) and serious side effects can offer peace of mind and help you recognize crucial warning signs. 

Understand the typical timeline for side effects. Ask your pharmacist or medical personnel to define which normal reactions you should just monitor and which symptoms require you to contact your physician. If you are starting a new medication, consider speaking with your pharmacist when you pick it up to review potential side effects and possible interactions with your other medications.

Keep this medication guide with your medication bottles so you can easily refer to it if you experience a sudden physical reaction.

2. Take Your Medication Exactly as Prescribed

Taking your medication exactly as prescribed can help reduce the risk of problems caused by taking too much, too little, or doses too close together. Missing doses or doubling up on medication if you forget a dose can change the level of medication in your body. If you find it difficult to remember when to take each medication, there are several ways to simplify the process. 

MedBox can help organize your medications and make it easier to take multiple doses.  MedBox sorts your medications by dose and time. With this arrangement, you can easily avoid confusion when managing several medications throughout the day.

You can also try setting alarms on your phone or keeping a written medication schedule. If you miss a dose or are unsure when to take your medication, consult the directions on the bottle or ask your pharmacist. Never guess.

3. Give Your Body Time to Adjust

Some mild side effects, such as mild upset stomach, fatigue, or headaches, may improve as your body adjusts to a new medication. How long side effects last depends on the medication and the specific side effect. 

Of course, if you have severe pain, trouble breathing, decreased urination, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or an allergic reaction, you should seek medical attention right away, but some mild side effects will resolve on their own if you just give them time. 

If a side effect is mild, monitor your symptoms to see if they improve. If symptoms persist, worsen, or interfere with your daily activities, contact your doctor or pharmacist. 

4. Review Your Other Medications and Supplements

Over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, and herbal products can interact with some prescription medications. Some supplements can affect how medications are absorbed, metabolized, or eliminated, potentially making a medication less effective or increasing the risk of side effects. 

Compile a current comprehensive list including topical ointments, pills, and herbal tinctures. When you provide your doctor with a complete list of your non-prescription drugs and supplements, they can cross-reference your symptoms with potential supplement interactions instead of attributing those symptoms to your medications.

Avoid alcohol or other substances that could worsen side effects. Alcohol can increase sedation, dizziness, stomach irritation, and other medication effects.

5. Keep a Record of Your Symptoms

If you’re visiting your doctor about symptoms you’ve experienced over the course of several weeks, you’re unlikely to recall everything. Record the date and time you take your medications and when you first experience side effects. Rank your symptoms on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the worst. 

When relevant, note other factors that might contribute to your symptoms, such as meals, hydration, physical activity, or whether you took the medication on an empty stomach. This information can help you and your doctor identify possible triggers. 

Providing your doctor with detailed information can help them determine whether your medication, dose, or dosing schedule needs to be adjusted. 

6. Never Stop a Medication Suddenly Without Medical Advice

Stopping a medication suddenly can cause serious rebound effects, withdrawal symptoms, or even a rapid disease relapse that’s worse than the side effect you’re experiencing. 

For example, suddenly stopping certain blood pressure medications can cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure. Abruptly stopping some antidepressants may cause discontinuation symptoms, while suddenly stopping certain anti-seizure medications can increase the risk of seizures. 

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist right away if you feel like you can’t handle the side effects. Your healthcare provider can determine whether your medication should be stopped, switched, or gradually tapered. 

When To Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a severe or rapidly worsening reaction, such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, fainting, severe chest pain, or seizures after taking a medication. Do not add another medication to treat a side effect without checking first. Even common over-the-counter medications can interact with prescription drugs.

Conclusion 

Adjusting your medications to avoid side effects is a team effort with your doctor and health care providers. Take note of how your body reacts, take your medications exactly as prescribed, and talk to your doctor before making any changes. 

Medication adherence and close monitoring are especially important for people taking complex therapies or managing chronic health conditions.