Dealing With Medicine Side Effects and Interactions

Side Effects

All medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them.

Here are some important things to think about:

• Usually the benefits of the medicine are more important than minor side effects.
• Side effects may go away after you take the medicine for a while.
• If side effects continue to bother you and you wonder if you should keep taking the medicine, call your doctor. He or she may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine. Do not suddenly quit taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
• Call your doctor or 911 right away or go to the emergency room if you take a medicine and have trouble breathing, get hives , or have swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. These are signs of an allergic reaction to the medicine.

Will you get side effects?

Anyone can feel side effects from a medicine, but there is no way to know for sure if a medicine will cause side effects for you. It may depend on how much of the medicine you take, how old you are, how much you weigh, whether you are male or female, and what other health problems you may have. Older adults are more likely to have side effects than younger adults.

You may notice side effects when you start to take a medicine, change the dose, or stop using the medicine. A medicine you've often taken without getting side effects may suddenly cause side effects. Or side effects may stop.

What can you do to prevent side effects?

There are many things you can do to prevent and prepare for side effects. Before you take any medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about:

• The possible side effects of the medicine and those you may be likely to have.
• How soon they may start.
• Whether they may go away on their own.
• Whether you can do anything to prevent them. For example, taking a medicine with food or at a certain time of day may help with this.
• Whether you need any tests to check for them.
• What you can do to manage mild side effects.
• When and who you should call for help with them.
• Whether you can drink alcohol when you are taking the medicine.

What can you do for mild side effects?

In general, you can ask your doctor if you can take less of the medicine or try another one.

Here are some tips to help you manage some common side effects from medicines.

Side effect	What to know or do
Constipation	Eat bran and other whole-grain cereals and high-fiber fruits and vegetables, such as apples, prunes, beans, and broccoli. Drink plenty of fluids. Get exercise.
Daytime drowsiness	This problem may go away as your body gets used to the medicine. Ask your doctor if you can take your medicine at bedtime. Do not drive or operate heavy equipment when you feel drowsy.
Diarrhea	Eat mild, low-fiber foods, such as applesauce, rice, and yogurt. Avoid spicy and high-fat foods until you feel better.
Dizziness	Get up slowly from sitting or lying down.
Dry mouth	Chew sugarless gum, or suck on sugarless candy. Take frequent sips of water throughout the day.
Headaches	These may go away as your body gets used to the medicine. Ask your doctor what medicine you can take for a headache.
Loss of appetite	Try to eat more often. Have healthy snacks between meals. Include favorite foods at each meal. Take a walk before you eat. This may make you hungrier.
Upset stomach (nausea)	Ask your doctor if you can take the medicine with food. Eat several smaller meals a day rather than two or three large meals. Try peppermint candy or gum. Peppermint can help settle your stomach. Eat bland foods, such as dry crackers or plain bread. Avoid fried, greasy, sweet, and spicy foods.
Feeling nervous or on edge	This problem may go away as your body gets used to the medicine. Ask your doctor if you can take a lower dose.
Sexual problems	Ask your doctor if you can take a lower dose. Ask your doctor if there is another medicine you can try.
Sleep problems	Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. Don't exercise in the late afternoon or evening. Keep your bedroom quiet, dark, and cool, and use a sleep mask and earplugs.
Sensitive to the sun	Stay out of the sun, if possible. Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and hats, if possible. Use high SPF sunscreen.

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Author:	Paul Lehnert	Last Updated: August 29, 2008
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Theresa O'Young, PharmD - Clinical Pharmacist
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