You may remember some time ago, HealthUnlocked and the University of Manchester conducted research into medication side effects and the perceptions around reporting them. We found some very interesting insights:
- Over 95% of people surveyed took regular medication and 87% had experienced a side effect that they believed was caused by their medication. Where people had experienced side effects, people stopped taking their medication in 59% of cases. In 10% of cases, the reaction was severe enough to cause them to be admitted to hospital as a result.
- Of those people who had experienced a side effect of medication, over 90% had reported this to someone else, most commonly their GP (79%), a pharmacist (17%), or to a family member or friend. However, few (3%) had reported this to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA), the regulatory agency responsible for monitoring drug safety in the UK.
- People varied in their level of understanding about the laws, regulations and systems for monitoring medication safety in the UK. Awareness of the MHRA’s ‘Yellow Card’ scheme for reporting drug side effects was low, with over 70% of people reporting little or no knowledge of the MHRA or the scheme.
- We asked survey respondents whether they would be happy if the MHRA or researchers used content posted on HealthUnlocked communities to monitor side effects - 94% of people agreed in each case.
This feedback has given us valuable insight into the reporting of medication side effects and how this could be improved in the future.
The next stage of the research is to hold a series of face-to-face focus groups with people to explore better ways of reporting medication side effects, making use of online health communities on HealthUnlocked. If you live in or around Manchester and are interested in taking part, click this link to see the details: patientsafety.manchester.ac...
If you have any questions about this research, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at support@healthunlocked.com.
Thank you!
HealthUnlocked and The University of Manchester
Written by
MaddieHU
HealthUnlocked
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
The problem with reporting side effects to GPs and specialists is often not being believed. I also found that many doctors have no real idea about the side effects of many drugs. They can't know everything.
I now always use the yellow card scheme and tick the box for informing doctor. Side effects then have to be taken seriously. If the box is ticked for informing GP, the side effects are then put into health record.
I don't live near Manchester but did have and still do have Acute Kidney Injury its AIN caused by RA medication thought to be Omeprazole which might or might not have interreacted with LEF. I had a biospy and kidneys now permantely damaged by 25% and only working at 19% after 3 months treatment. The medication caused an extreme immune response in my kidneys which in all likelyhood will result in time to dyalasis a frightening thought. I stress I've been advised extremely rare reaction but as it was silent I do wonder if whilst we worry about the so called powerful drugs we just ignore the real risks of the common ones as Omeprazole is available otc and then no blood test which found my problem.
I'm so sorry you have been through this medway-lady. All drugs are potentially toxic. Also, many people take numerous drugs, increasing risk of nasty interactions.
After some nasty interactions (and side effects myself), I have become deeply suspicious of all drugs. At one time I was on so many drugs you could hear me coming! I've flatly refused to take all sorts of drugs. After having a serious side effect dismissed by a GP, I won't take anything unless I've researched it myself, and checked drug interactions.
A chance in millions it just worries me that sometimes these meds are taken like Smarties and if people don't have the right blood tests then ?? I did have blood tests so between july and Oct the injury occured silently and its so easy to think I feel ok so must be ok when in reality things are going wrong in the background. So I'm on soapbox get the blood tests done it may save your life. x
The problem is that most folks think if it's being prescribed...or bought over the counter, the drug is safe. Truth is, all drugs are toxins. Many extremely helpful (of course!). However, their usefulness (or not) depends on many things.
I really do think that more folks should fill out a yellow card if a side effect has been experienced. What can seem like a chance in a million might just be down to under reporting.
Hi ML......Does your GP practice have a Prescribing Pharmacist who annually checks all the drugs you are prescribed & their reaction with each other? If not, do you think the possible effect the Omeprazole has had might have been picked up ? My practice has just employed one,& she did go into a lot of detail asking about drugs prescribed by Rheumy Consultant, not just those prescribed by GP. I wonder do GP's actually look at what we are taking before adding a drug? I know they should, but do they?
I don't take any RA drugs except RTX infusions, just take BP/Statins so there was nothing much to "investigate"......but many people do...& just collect prescriptions with no overall check.My local pharmacy has a couple of times told me I can't take a prescribed medicine with Statins...but the same GP prescribed both.
It's a minefield.....I really hope things look up for you very soon.
It came from the hospital all gp did was folloe instructions and he also did blood tests every two months so July next one was September but I was on holiday so on return in Oct had the next one done by hospital RA nurse and that found the problem. I think it would have been impossable as so rare the local major hospital had'nt got a clue for all the tests they did. Your right it is a minfield my medical records now flash at the GP I noticed yesterday. Still here though. lol xxxx It gets me though that been with the same practice all my life as lived in same village, only had a gp once to the house yet now its go to A&E as unable to get urgent appt.
It seemes like patients have a very impersonal relationship to their doctors in general.This lack of real connextion cannot be replaced by the rheumie nurse, however lovely. The doctor is the one who gives the meds and makes the diagnoses, if he doesn't listen, for whatever reason the trust is on very shaky ground and I can well understand that the yellow card may only be seen as something just as superficial as the relationship to the doctor.
I think it's a very good idea to have Healthunlocked communities to monitor side effects, people seem to have a close relationship to their community and discuss side effects frequently.
It's very difficult to build up a relationship with docs when one rarely sees the same one twice. It's the same at my current practice. I've had three GPs...they left! I like to think I had nothing to do with it. I haven't even bothered asking who my new GP is. No point. I just see whoever is available. There is one GP I won't see under any circumstances. Would rather stick pins in my eyes. She has the bed side manner of a rabid dog!
It's a great pity really. At my last practise I saw the same doc for 25 years. Built up a good relationship with her.
That was really funny about the bedside manner, but oh so sad as well Perhaps Healthunlocked should monitor doctors bedside manner as well. I am quite sure there would be a correlation between patients taking medicating into their own hands and the rapport they have to their doctors.
Ah good old lithium...one of the most toxic drugs ever. Unfortunately I was given a drug that was contraindicated combined with lithium. Guess what? Send my blood lithium levels through the roof. Could have killed me.
A warning is supposed to flash up on GP notes about dangerous drug combos. Either it didn't, or GP just didn't notice. GP tried to blame me for the mistake! I made a formal complaint.
Any chance we can have a link in this site to report drug side effects to the office cal site. I know it’s easy to report as I have used it before but of course I forgot about it.
Just come off my drugs due to side effects and now you have reminded me to report this. Thank you
Hi Beachwalk , I'm sorry to hear you've had some trouble with your recent medication. Here is the link to MHRA's Yellow Card reporting scheme: yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/
It was four years ago. I don't touch any psychotropic (or psychedelic!) drugs! 🤣 Anything that is going to mess with my head...I leave well alone. That includes alcohol.
Lithium caused me horrendous thyroid issues, and my kidneys weren't looking clever on that poison.
It’s been said but most Doctors don’t read the literature and know what the side effects could be. When prescribing a med the doctor should know and give all possible side effects
Hi, my name is angie and I have raynauds, psoriatic rheumatoid and fibromyligia. I also have COPD and really bad allergies and food allergies. all this started when I hit 30 years of age I 1st got the food allergies and season allergies with COPD. than at age 33 fibromyligia than I got raynauds phenomenon at age 36 I started the system of psoriatic Rheumatoid authoritis. at age 39 I started Enbrel with leflunomide 20mg and plaquanil. my body got use to it in 6month I felt so good in the beginning now I feel the pain again but it's worst when I get my period. and any female does it hurt having sex with your husband I'm always in pain especially when I have a flare up
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Perhaps Healthunlocked should monitor doctors bedside manner as well. I am quite sure there would be a correlation between patients taking medicating into their own hands and the rapport they have to their doctors.
How long will infusion side effects last?
Ulnar Drift - how to prevent? plus MTX side effects?
'A year of Covid' Survey - please complete!
