What are adverse reactions?
When you start a new medication or therapy, you should watch for serious side effects, called adverse reactions. They occur when a patient experiences undesirable and unexpected effects to a health product. Under Health Canada guidelines, “health products” include drugs (prescription and over-the-counter), medical devices, and natural health products, such as herbal supplements or vitamins.
Not all reactions to health products are considered adverse reactions. Some reactions, such as nausea and vomiting, are very common, and are considered normal side effects of new medical treatments.
A serious adverse reaction is any health event that requires hospitalization, prolongs an existing hospitalization, causes disability …show more content…
Return to top
Why do adverse reactions occur?
Adverse reactions occur for a variety of reasons, including:
Allergy to one of the ingredients in a medication
A pre-existing health condition
Medication or therapy interacting with another drug you are taking
Medication or therapy interacting with food or the environment (i.e. sun exposure).
For more information on side effects see the Guide to Reporting Side Effects from MedEffect Canada.
Return to top
How can I avoid serious side effects?
While all medications carry some risk, it is important to weigh the risks against the benefits of utilizing one medication or therapy over another. In most cases, drug side effects are minimal when compared to their effectiveness.
Some unfavourable side effects can be solved by adjusting the drug dosage or switching to a comparable drug or therapy that does not have these side effects. Do not make changes to your drug or therapy regimen without consulting your doctor.
Here are some questions you may want to ask your medical team about any new medication or …show more content…
(e.g. strenuous activities)
Are there any other medications or treatments that may also be effective in my case?
For more helpful questions to ask your doctor or pharmacist, read the tips sheet on safe medication use from the Ministry of Health and Social Services of Quebec.
Return to top
How do I find out more?
Canada follows strict drug manufacturing guidelines, and only allows drugs onto the market after they have been extensively reviewed. Pharmaceutical companies are required by law to print known side effects on the product label or packaging, but you can also turn to a reliable source like your doctor, pharmacist or Health Canada for extra information. You can also visit the prescription drug library on this website for more information on medications.
Read the list of reactions carefully and keep a diary of how you feel after beginning your new medication. Note any new symptoms that appear and talk to your doctor and/or pharmacist about how you feel. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and voice any concerns with your medical team as they arise. You can use this log created by MedEffect Canada to track and rate your symptoms.
Return to top
How do I file a
When you start a new medication or therapy, you should watch for serious side effects, called adverse reactions. They occur when a patient experiences undesirable and unexpected effects to a health product. Under Health Canada guidelines, “health products” include drugs (prescription and over-the-counter), medical devices, and natural health products, such as herbal supplements or vitamins.
Not all reactions to health products are considered adverse reactions. Some reactions, such as nausea and vomiting, are very common, and are considered normal side effects of new medical treatments.
A serious adverse reaction is any health event that requires hospitalization, prolongs an existing hospitalization, causes disability …show more content…
Return to top
Why do adverse reactions occur?
Adverse reactions occur for a variety of reasons, including:
Allergy to one of the ingredients in a medication
A pre-existing health condition
Medication or therapy interacting with another drug you are taking
Medication or therapy interacting with food or the environment (i.e. sun exposure).
For more information on side effects see the Guide to Reporting Side Effects from MedEffect Canada.
Return to top
How can I avoid serious side effects?
While all medications carry some risk, it is important to weigh the risks against the benefits of utilizing one medication or therapy over another. In most cases, drug side effects are minimal when compared to their effectiveness.
Some unfavourable side effects can be solved by adjusting the drug dosage or switching to a comparable drug or therapy that does not have these side effects. Do not make changes to your drug or therapy regimen without consulting your doctor.
Here are some questions you may want to ask your medical team about any new medication or …show more content…
(e.g. strenuous activities)
Are there any other medications or treatments that may also be effective in my case?
For more helpful questions to ask your doctor or pharmacist, read the tips sheet on safe medication use from the Ministry of Health and Social Services of Quebec.
Return to top
How do I find out more?
Canada follows strict drug manufacturing guidelines, and only allows drugs onto the market after they have been extensively reviewed. Pharmaceutical companies are required by law to print known side effects on the product label or packaging, but you can also turn to a reliable source like your doctor, pharmacist or Health Canada for extra information. You can also visit the prescription drug library on this website for more information on medications.
Read the list of reactions carefully and keep a diary of how you feel after beginning your new medication. Note any new symptoms that appear and talk to your doctor and/or pharmacist about how you feel. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and voice any concerns with your medical team as they arise. You can use this log created by MedEffect Canada to track and rate your symptoms.
Return to top
How do I file a