My New Tablets Are Making Me Feel Unwell — What Should I Do?

Overview

Starting a new medication can sometimes cause side effects that make you feel unwell. Here is a step-by-step guide on what to do if you think your tablets are causing symptoms.

Step 1: Stop the Medication

The short answer in most cases is to stop taking the tablets and see whether your symptoms improve. Generally, it takes around 5 days for most drugs to clear your system — though this varies depending on both the medication and the individual.

If you feel no better after this time, it is likely the medication was not the cause of your symptoms.

Step 2: Wait, Then Retry

If your symptoms do improve after stopping, we would usually recommend waiting a further 5 to 7 days before retrying the same medication. This is to ensure the improvement was not a coincidence.

If restarting the medication does not reproduce the same side effects, it is very unlikely that the medication was responsible for your original symptoms.

Step 3: If Symptoms Return

If you deteriorate again on restarting the medication, stop it immediately and let us know. This pattern — symptom improvement on stopping, and return on restarting — would be classified as an intolerance to the medication, rather than a true allergy.

We can then discuss alternative options that achieve the same therapeutic goal without the same side effects.

Important

Please do not stop any cardiac medication without first discussing it with us if you are unsure — some medications should not be stopped abruptly. If in doubt, contact the practice before making any changes.

Disclaimer

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According to Dr Matthew Balerdi, Consultant Cardiologist, some cardiac medications should not be stopped abruptly — always check with your prescriber first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I stop my medication if I feel unwell? In most cases, stopping the medication for around 5 days to see if symptoms improve is reasonable. However, some cardiac medications should not be stopped abruptly — always check with your prescriber first.

How long do side effects take to clear? Most medication side effects resolve within 5 days of stopping, though this varies by drug and individual. If symptoms persist beyond this, the medication may not have been the cause.

What is the difference between a side effect and an allergy? A side effect is an unwanted but expected pharmacological response. An allergy involves an immune reaction — typically a rash, swelling or breathing difficulty — and requires urgent medical attention.