Reduced medicine side effects

Tips to lower the risks of medication side effects

Side effects are not entirely avoidable, but you can help prevent them. If you are taking medicines to treat a serious or life threatening condition, you may be willing to accept a medication with more side effects. If you are treating a more minor condition, you might decide you are willing to accept less risk. Some specific ways to lower the risks of drug side effects include:

Talk to your healthcare provider about what side effects to look out for, and what to do if you experience one of them.

Read the information that comes printed on your medicine labels so that you are aware of the side effects associated with your medicines and know what to be on the lookout for.

Ask if there are ways to prevent or manage drug side effects—like taking a medicine with food, or at bedtime.

Ask whether you can drink alcohol when using the medicine, as combining alcohol with certain medicines can be dangerous.

Make sure your healthcare providers are aware of any allergies you have.

Contact your healthcare professional if you experience any side effects. Your healthcare providers will want to know about any side effects, and can work with you to either manage the side effects or can advise you if a switch to an alternative medication is needed.