Dealing with drug side effects

January 2004     View PDF     En español

What to look for; what to do?

Many people experience an adjustment period when starting a new therapy. This period usually lasts about four to six weeks as your body adapts to the new drug. During this time, you may experience headache, nausea, muscle pain in your arms and occasional dizziness. These kinds of side effects typically lessen or disappear as your body adjusts.

Learn to recognize, monitor and manage side effects should they arise. Often, simple solutions exist to lessen many side effects. In other cases, a particular side effect may be an important signal that requires immediate medical attention.

Once you notice any unusual reactions after starting or changing a drug, report the side effects to your doctor. If possible, talk to others who have used the same drug. They may be able to offer solutions.