As a sufferer of Crohns disease, Crohns in the kidneys and depression, I have been on many differentiating prescription and non-prescription drugs.
And when going on a medication the question always presents itself- Should I read the side effect list?
When buying something as common and over the counter as a basic pain medication, such as paracetamol, there is usually no need to read the side effect section of the information card, as there aren’t many side effects and this is pretty well known from the outset. However reading the rest of the information is always useful.
As I have gone on new and rare drugs this decision whether to read all of the side effects becomes harder. If you do read them all, then you may think a mole you’re never quite noticed before is defiantly skin cancer. And if you don’t read the list, and you start to become dizzy or nauseated, you then again have two options, you may write it off as a side effect, but it could actually be a new problem, or you may freak out and think something else is wrong. So this uncertainty it not the way to live in the world of modern medicine.
How to solve the dilemma of what to do with the Side effect list.
When buying even the most over the counter drugs, there is almost always still a pharmacist in house when the pharmacy is open. You can ask them: Are there any common side effects I should prepare myself for? Or if you are particularly worried about one thing or another such as weight gain, hair loss or some other particular side effect you can just ask about that one. This process of asking a pharmacist, if over the counter, or you doctor if prescribed, about side effects, help you not to over analyse and to not make the simple or complex process of going onto a new drug harder or more complicated than it has to be.
If you are sick and are experiencing new symptoms/side effects having gone on a new medication or not, having being told about the side effect or not, always consult your doctor or medical professional.
I am not a medical professional this is my combined knowledge of years of being on the patient’s side of the desk and I have found this process to be the best all-around safe way of thinking about the side effects of a new drug option for you.