I’m Worried About Side Effects From My Medication, Who Should I Speak To

If you are worried about a side effect, you do not need to decide on your own whether it is “bad enough” to mention.

The person you speak to will depend on the concern and how urgent it is. A pharmacist can answer many questions about medicines. Your GP or prescribing clinician can consider the concern in the context of why the medicine was prescribed and your wider health.

For urgent or severe concerns, NHS urgent-care routes may be appropriate.

A pharmacist can be a useful first source of medicine information

Pharmacists are qualified medicines professionals.

They can explain information about prescribed medicines, common side effects, interactions and the instructions supplied with a prescription.

They cannot replace the clinician responsible for decisions that require a review of your diagnosis, treatment plan or wider medical circumstances.

Your GP or prescriber needs to know when the effect is affecting treatment

Tell your GP or prescribing clinician if an unwanted effect is difficult to tolerate, persistent, worrying or affecting whether you feel able to take the medicine as prescribed.

NICE says treatment discussions should cover side effects and concerns about taking or stopping antidepressants.

Do not wait until a routine review if you have a concern that you think needs earlier clinical attention.

Give them useful information rather than trying to diagnose the problem

Before speaking to someone, it may help to note:

• what you are experiencing;• when it began;• whether it is constant or comes and goes;• how it is affecting sleep, work or everyday life; and• any other medicines or health changes you think may be relevant.

This is information for the professional assessing you. It is not a checklist for deciding what treatment change should be made.

Do not use another person’s experience as your instruction

Online discussions can be reassuring because they show that other people have had concerns too.

But somebody else’s medicine, dose, medical history and reason for treatment may be different from yours.

Advice such as “I stopped mine”, “take it at a different time” or “ask for this instead” may not be appropriate or safe for you. Use personal experiences as experiences, not prescribing instructions.

If you are worried about stopping because of side effects

Speak to the person who prescribed the medication.

NICE advises people who want to stop antidepressants to discuss this with their prescriber and recognises that abrupt stopping or missed doses can cause withdrawal symptoms.

MH360 does not provide tapering schedules or instructions for reducing medication. Any change should be discussed and agreed with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

Urgent concerns need an urgent route

If you think you may be experiencing a serious reaction to medication, seek urgent medical advice.

If you or somebody else is in immediate danger or there is a life-threatening emergency, call 999 or go to A&E.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need urgent help but it is not a life-threatening emergency, contact NHS 111 and select the mental health option, or use your local NHS urgent mental health service.

Last reviewed

6 September 2026

Important medication and mental health information

This guide provides general information only and is not medical advice. It is not intended to recommend any particular medicine, treatment, dose, change to medication or course of action.

Medicines can affect people differently. The appropriate treatment will depend on your individual circumstances, health, other medicines you take and the reason treatment has been prescribed.

Do not start, stop, reduce, increase, change or switch prescribed medication based on information in this guide. If you have questions or concerns about your medication, side effects, missed doses, withdrawal symptoms or whether treatment is helping, speak to your GP, prescribing clinician, pharmacist or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional.