Evidence-Based Strategies to Manage Side Effects

What this guide covers

If you are managing symptoms after starting a new medicine or treatment, you are not alone. Side effects are unwanted effects that can range from mild to serious. Many can be reduced with simple changes in routine, better communication with your care team, and safe use practices at home. This guide explains what to watch for, what you can do, and when to call your clinician. An Understood Care advocate can offer personalized help tailored to your specific health needs by tracking symptoms, preparing questions, and coordinating with your clinician to adjust your plan. Ready for support? Call (646) 904-4027 or sign up at https://app.understoodcare.com.

Know when to seek urgent care

Some symptoms need immediate medical attention. Call emergency services right away if you have any signs of a severe allergic reaction or a life threatening symptom.

1. Trouble breathing, wheezing, or swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth, or throat
2. Fainting, chest pain, or a very fast or very slow heartbeat
3. A severe, spreading rash or hives with dizziness or vomiting
4. Confusion, sudden weakness, slurred speech, or new severe headache
5. High fever, stiff neck, or signs of severe infection
6. Black or bloody stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or uncontrolled bleeding

If you are uncertain whether a symptom is an emergency, prioritize safety and contact your clinician or emergency services immediately.

Build a plan with your care team

A clear plan makes side effects easier to prevent and manage.

Before starting a new medicine or treatment

1. Share your complete medication list, including vitamins and herbal products
2. Tell your clinician about previous reactions and allergies
3. Ask what side effects are common, which ones are serious, and what to do if they occur
4. Ask whether to take the medicine with food or water, and the best time of day
5. Confirm any lab tests or monitoring you may need

During the first weeks

1. Use a simple symptom diary to track what you feel and when it happens
2. Take medicines exactly as prescribed and set reminders if needed
3. Contact your pharmacist or clinician if a side effect is new, persistent, or disrupting daily life

Reporting serious problems

If you experience a serious reaction, your clinician may advise reporting it to national safety programs. Reporting helps keep medicines safer for everyone.

Understood Care has a team of nurses, advocates, and healthcare professionals who will work with you and coordinate with your clinicians to put the plan into action.

Everyday strategies to ease common side effects

Talk with your clinician or pharmacist before starting any over the counter product. These tips are general and may not fit every condition or medicine.

Nausea or upset stomach

1. Take small, frequent meals and choose bland foods when needed
2. Sip clear fluids often to stay hydrated
3. Limit strong smells and greasy or spicy foods
4. Ask your clinician about prescription or over the counter options if nausea continues

Constipation

1. Increase fiber gradually with fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains
2. Drink enough water through the day unless you have fluid limits
3. Keep moving with gentle physical activity as you are able
4. If lifestyle steps are not enough, ask about stool softeners or other options that are safe for you

Diarrhea

1. Drink fluids with electrolytes to prevent dehydration
2. Choose simple foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast as tolerated
3. Avoid alcohol and caffeine until symptoms improve
4. Ask about nonprescription medicines if appropriate and know when to seek care if diarrhea lasts or is severe

Dizziness or feeling faint when standing

1. Stand up slowly from sitting or lying positions and pause before walking
2. Drink enough water unless you are on fluid restrictions
3. Review your medicines with your clinician if dizziness is frequent
4. Check blood pressure as advised and report low readings or symptoms

Skin reactions such as rash or hives

1. Stop new products on the skin and avoid scratching
2. Use gentle cleansers and unscented moisturizers
3. Protect skin from sun exposure
4. Seek urgent care if there is swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing, dizziness, or a rapidly worsening rash

Prevent harmful interactions

Interactions can make side effects more likely or more severe.

1. Keep an up to date list of all medicines and supplements and share it at every visit
2. Use one pharmacy when possible so the pharmacist can check for interactions
3. Ask about foods and drinks that interact with your medicines, including alcohol and grapefruit
4. Read the medication guide that comes with each prescription and ask questions if anything is unclear

Safe use, storage, and disposal at home

Good habits at home help prevent errors and unintentional harm.

1. Store medicines in a cool, dry place away from children and pets
2. Keep medicines in original containers unless you use a clearly labeled pill organizer
3. Check expiration dates and replace as directed
4. Dispose of unused or expired medicines using a take back program or mail back envelope when available
5. If a take back option is not available, follow federal guidance for at home disposal and only flush medicines on the special flush list when instructed

Track symptoms and stay on schedule

Organization and reminders make it easier to stay on track and spot patterns.

1. Use a weekly pill organizer or an automatic dispenser if your regimen is complex
2. Set phone alarms or use a reminder app and keep a written schedule in a visible spot
3. Ask a caregiver to double check your pill organizer if you need support
4. Bring your symptom diary to visits to help your clinician fine tune your plan

How Understood Care can help

If side effects are making life harder, you do not have to figure it out alone. Understood Care advocates can help you prepare for appointments, organize an up to date medication list, ask the right questions, and coordinate follow up. Advocates can also help you find affordable options for prescriptions and arrange transportation to visits when needed. See the resources linked in the references for details on care coordination, medication cost help, and transportation support.

FAQ

• What does this side effects guide cover?
  This guide explains what medication and treatment side effects are, how to ease common symptoms at home, how to reduce risks with safe use habits, and when to contact your clinician or seek urgent care. It also shows how an Understood Care advocate can help you track symptoms, prepare questions, and adjust your plan with your care team.
• When should I seek urgent medical care for side effects?
  Call emergency services right away if you have trouble breathing or wheezing, swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth, or throat, fainting, chest pain, a very fast or very slow heartbeat, a severe spreading rash or hives with dizziness or vomiting, confusion, sudden weakness, slurred speech, a new severe headache, signs of severe infection, or black or bloody stools or vomit that looks like coffee grounds. If you are unsure, prioritize safety and seek immediate help.
• How can I build a side effect plan with my care team before starting a new medicine?
  Share your complete medication list including vitamins and herbs, tell your clinician about previous reactions and allergies, ask which side effects are common and which are serious, ask what to do if they occur, confirm whether to take the medicine with food or water and at what time of day, and review any lab tests or monitoring you may need.
• What should I do during the first weeks on a new medicine?
  Use a simple symptom diary to record what you feel and when, take medicines exactly as prescribed, set reminders if needed, and contact your pharmacist or clinician if side effects are new, persistent, or affecting daily life. Serious reactions may also be reported to national safety programs with your clinician’s guidance.
• What everyday strategies can help with nausea or upset stomach?
  Eat small, frequent meals, choose bland foods, sip clear fluids to stay hydrated, avoid strong smells and greasy or spicy foods, and ask your clinician about prescription or over the counter options if nausea continues.
• How can I reduce constipation from medicines?
  Increase fiber gradually with fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains, drink enough water if you do not have fluid limits, keep moving with gentle activity, and if lifestyle steps are not enough, ask about stool softeners or other options that are safe for you.
• What can I do if I have diarrhea from a treatment?
  Drink fluids with electrolytes, choose simple foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast as tolerated, avoid alcohol and caffeine until symptoms improve, ask about nonprescription options when appropriate, and know when to seek care if diarrhea lasts or becomes severe.
• How do I handle dizziness or feeling faint when I stand up?
  Stand up slowly and pause before walking, drink enough water unless you are on fluid restrictions, review your medicines with your clinician if dizziness is frequent, and check blood pressure as advised, reporting low readings or concerning symptoms.
• What should I do about rashes, hives, or skin reactions?
  Stop new skin products, avoid scratching, use gentle cleansers and unscented moisturizers, and protect your skin from the sun. Seek urgent care if you have swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing, dizziness, or a rapidly worsening rash.
• How can I prevent harmful medication interactions that cause side effects?
  Keep an up to date list of all medicines and supplements, use one pharmacy when possible, ask about food and drink interactions including alcohol and grapefruit, read the medication guide that comes with each prescription, and ask questions if anything is unclear.
• What are safe storage and disposal habits for medicines at home?
  Store medicines in a cool, dry place away from children and pets, keep them in original containers or a clearly labeled pill organizer, check expiration dates, and dispose of unused or expired medicines through take back programs or mail back envelopes when available. Follow federal guidance for at home disposal if no program is available.
• How can I stay organized so I notice patterns in side effects?
  Use a weekly pill organizer or automatic dispenser, set phone alarms or use a reminder app, keep a written schedule where you can see it, ask a caregiver to double check your organizer if needed, and bring your symptom diary to visits so your clinician can fine tune your plan.
• How can Understood Care help me with side effects?
  Understood Care advocates can help you prepare for appointments, maintain a current medication list, track symptoms, ask focused questions, and coordinate follow up with your clinicians. They can also help explore more affordable prescription options and arrange transportation to visits. For personalized help, you can call (646) 904-4027 or sign up at https://app.understoodcare.com.

References

• MedlinePlus. Drug Reactions. https://medlineplus.gov/drugreactions.html
• MedlinePlus. Drugs, Herbs and Supplements. https://medlineplus.gov/druginformation.html
• MedlinePlus. Medication Errors. https://medlineplus.gov/medicationerrors.html
• MedlinePlus. Keeping your medicines organized. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000600.htm
• National Institute on Aging. Taking Medicines Safely as You Age. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/medicines-and-medication-management/taking-medicines-safely-you-age
• Cleveland Clinic. Drug Interactions. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/drug-interactions
• Mayo Clinic. Nausea and vomiting guidance. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/nausea/basics/when-to-see-doctor/sym-20050736
• Mayo Clinic. Constipation treatment. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/constipation/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354259
• Mayo Clinic. Diarrhea treatment. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diarrhea/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352246
• Mayo Clinic. Orthostatic hypotension overview and care. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/orthostatic-hypotension/symptoms-causes/syc-20352548
• Mayo Clinic. Low blood pressure treatment. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-blood-pressure/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355470
• Mayo Clinic. Drug allergy. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-allergy/symptoms-causes/syc-20371835
• Mayo Clinic. Anaphylaxis first aid. https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-anaphylaxis/basics/art-20056608
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Learn About Your Medicines. https://www.fda.gov/patients/learn-about-your-medicines
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration. MedWatch reporting information. https://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch-fda-safety-information-and-adverse-event-reporting-program/reporting-serious-problems-fda
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Drug Disposal overview. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/safe-disposal-medicines/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Drug Take Back options. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know/drug-disposal-drug-take-back-options
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Dispose non flush list medicine in trash. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know/drug-disposal-dispose-non-flush-list-medicine-trash
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Flush list for certain medicines. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know/drug-disposal-fdas-flush-list-certain-medicines
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Medication Safety and Your Health. https://www.cdc.gov/medication-safety/about/index.html
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Medicines risk fact sheet for older adults. https://www.cdc.gov/older-adult-drivers/medicine/index.html
• National Cancer Institute. Side Effects of Cancer Treatment. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects
• National Cancer Institute. Pain and Cancer Treatment side effects. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/pain
• Jallow F, et al. Medication management strategies by community dwelling older adults and their informal caregivers. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10963160/

This content is for education only and does not replace professional medical advice. If you have new weakness, severe pain, fever with confusion, chest pain, or trouble breathing, call emergency services.