Reading the leaflets with medication

The leaflets should also list the probability of any side effects.

Very common, 1 in 50, 1 in 100, 1 in 1000. many of the more alarmingside effects are very uncommon.

Any medication is essentially a poison, that can combat and deal with a malfunction in your body. We all have to make a judgement as to whether the potential side effect compares with the alternative of continuing with the medical problem.

Some years ago DH had a pinched nerve in his shoulder. he was in extreme pain. He was in such pain he had to stop driving, could barely eat, he was in agony and the normal painkillers were ineffective. His GP prescribed a medication that left him feeling dizzy, spaced out and queezy, but it stopped the pain and he was more than happy to live with the side effects, in order to not have the constant pain.

I'm very lucky to be in good health and have hardly ever had medication. However, I currently have a urine infection and have been prescribed an antibiotic called Nitrofurantoin. My God! When I read the possible side effects, I was shocked! Problems with lungs, spinal cord damage, raised pressure in the skull. I am experiencing some of the lesser side effects, such as tiredness and aching joints, but will persevere and finish the tablets. I had no idea....

I often don’t but a year ago I got a new medication and read the leaflet and was concerned about a side effect mentioned. I rang the pharmacy and spoke to the pharmacist about it and at the end of it, after the further info they gave me I decided not to take it. I did tell my gp and they respected my decision based on the reasoning I gave.

I used to read all the leaflets that came with my husband's medication, mainly to make sure that any of the extras I was adding wouldn't be a problem. It was interesting to see how many of his drugs contra indicated each other, but I presumed that an experienced haematologist would know what he was doing, and the hospital pharmacists were pretty good at picking up problems.

My daughter was once prescribed a new drug for her bad back. She had a look at the leaflet and found that the side effects included vomiting blood and death! She asked a pharmacist friend about it and he said "Don't touch them. It's a horrible drug, intended for Rheumatoid Arthritis - which you have not got!" Heaven knows what the doctor was thinking.

I read them. When I was discharged from hospital a couple of months ago I read the leaflet and realised that I’d got the wrong meds - fortunately I could ask a pharmacist friend who identified that the tablets I had were in fact the ones I should have, but the leaflet was incorrect!

I read the leaflets for me and my DH. We’ve both had side effects from pharmaceuticals and this resulted in not talking the meds. It’s just a precaution but I think necessary.

As I said in the OP, I would get every side effect going if I did but I trust my GP and the Practice pharmacist and then the independent pharmacist who dispenses them. And then, his head office who oversee and then ring us a month or so after we are prescribed something new.

AuntieE I see my doctor twice a year for my prescription list, they don’t do renewals over the phone nor pick-ups at the surgery, other than when I am first prescribed it hasn’t been mentioned since but I will ask next time…

That being said, here you are expected to collect and look after all your blood test results, scans, X-rays etc yourself.
When you go again, for a new examination at a medical place you have to take your last results to compare.

You should read them. Everyone should take responsibility for their own health.

I once read the leaflet with the cat's medicine and after doing so was scared stiff of giving her the stuff- so now I prefer to trust my vet and doctor to know what they are doing, and I do not read the leaflets unless a reaction sets in that I find worrying.

I do and then I Google it to be sure.

The leaflets are updated sometimes as progress has been made.

For example Levothyrox many years ago had to be taken with a large glass of water an hour before breakfast, now half an hour before breakfast with a little liquid - suggesting half a glass of water. (I hated drinking a large glass of water.)

I read them because I want to stay alive and well as long as I can.

I always read the leaflet for any new meds and always keep the leaflet in the box of tablets - even with tablets I may have been taking for some time
I recently discovered that DH chucks away the leaflet and never reads it or understands why he should. I have now had words with him!

I started a course of Imodium today after failing to 'dry up' after a tummy bug. I took the first dose then decided to speed
read the leaflet.
I haven't read a paracetamol leaflet for years, but I understand it says one side effect can be headache!

25Avalon

I do read it but all too often the side effects are what the medication is supposed to prevent!

🤣🤣
Not funny really, but one blood pressure medication listed raised bp as a side effect!

When taking medication or supplement for the first time I do read the leaflet enclosed. Over the years I've found a couple of things that have caused me to question its suitability with GP or pharmacist. It's important to take responsibility for your health.

Never read them, straight in the recycling, if I read them I'm destined to have every side effect mentioned 😷

Here's the link:

yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/

*yellow card!

Do you also use the red card reporting of symptoms?

I do. I think it's important to log them for other people in future.

I was told by a doctor that the wording is because of the suing culture. They try to cover every scenario. He told me to pretty much ignore it.

I read everything.
My husband does not.

I don't expect to get the sideffects listed

He sometimes misses key things that the GP/pharmacist hasn't put on the box (like wait 2 hours after showering/bathing before applying lotion).
Luckily I read his too!
🙄

I do read it but all too often the side effects are what the medication is supposed to prevent!

GrannyIvy

I tend to read to check the medication is right for me and no interaction with any other medication I am taking. I also question my GP/practice nurse or Consultant if it is something new to double check. I think that come from working in the medical profession for many years!! Just checking ….

Mistakes can be made. Any concerns and it’s always best to query them.

Lovemylife

Mr L always reads the leaflet several times and then will be sure to have every possible side effect. Which then has to be discussed, several times, at length. Often followed by an essay to the GP 🤦🏼‍♀️

😂😂😂