Side effects are part of taking medicines. Some are mild and go away. Others need quick action. If you know what to expect and how to react, you’ll handle problems faster and safer.
Read the leaflet that comes with your prescription. It lists common and serious side effects. Common ones include nausea, dizziness, sleep changes, and mild rashes. Serious signs you should act on right away are trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, chest pain, fainting, high fever, severe rash, sudden weakness, or new suicidal thoughts. If you see any of those, call emergency services or go to the ER.
Not all side effects mean you must stop a drug. Minor nausea or drowsiness often eases after a few days. Ask your pharmacist or doctor before stopping anything. Stopping certain meds suddenly — like some antidepressants or seizure drugs such as Dilantin (phenytoin) — can be risky. If a side effect is bothering you but not dangerous, your doctor may lower the dose, switch medicines, or add something to manage the symptom.
Examples from common meds: Risperdal (risperidone) can cause drowsiness, weight gain, or movement issues for some people. Nasonex nasal spray often gives mild nasal irritation. Metformin may upset the stomach and can lower vitamin B12 over time. Ciprofloxacin can sometimes cause tendon pain — stop and call your doctor if your tendon hurts. These are examples, not a full list. Check your prescription details.
Keep a simple symptom diary for the first few weeks on a new drug: note sleep, mood, digestion, and any odd sensations. Bring the diary to appointments. Tell your doctor about all other medicines, supplements, and recreational drugs you use — interactions cause many side effects. For example, combining certain antidepressants with supplements that increase serotonin can raise the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Buy meds from trusted sources. If you order online, use verified pharmacies and keep the original packaging. Counterfeit meds may have wrong doses or extra ingredients that cause unexpected reactions. If you’re preparing for surgery, mention all medications to your surgical team — anesthesia and long procedures can raise risks like blood clots, so doctors may change what you take beforehand.
Simple daily habits help too: take meds with food if the leaflet allows, avoid alcohol when warned, and don’t mix drugs that cause strong drowsiness with driving. If a side effect affects your quality of life, ask about alternatives. Many conditions have multiple treatment options — asthma inhalers, heart medicines, and antibiotics often have substitutes with different side effect profiles.
If you want more details on specific drugs and their side effects, check the articles tagged on this page. They cover common meds like Risperdal, Dilantin, Nasonex, and more, with practical tips for real-life use.
In my recent blog post, I delved into the potential side effect of weight gain associated with Itraconazole, a commonly prescribed antifungal medication. I discovered that while weight gain is not a widely recognized side effect, some patients have reported it as an issue during treatment. The exact mechanism behind this weight gain is not fully understood, but it could be related to changes in appetite or metabolism. It's crucial for patients to discuss any concerns about potential side effects with their healthcare providers, as an alternative treatment may be available. Although weight gain might not be a common side effect, it's important to be aware of the possibility and monitor any changes in weight while taking Itraconazole.
READ
