Where can I get more Information?
Where can I get more information?
We hope you now have a better idea of the issues underlying the safety of medicines you take. No doubt, however, you will want to know more about your medicine(s). The following are good places to go :
The Patient Information Leaflet
The law requires that all medicines are dispensed with a leaflet which is intended for the user to read and keep. It contains information on how to use the medicine safely and what side-effects may occur. These leaflets mention all side-effects which are well-recognised to be caused by it but this does not mean that they will necessarily mention the problem you have. When appropriate, the leaflet may provide advice about stopping the medicine (example 4).
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Example 4 |
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Precautions : If you experience a sore throat and/or bruising stop this medicine and see your doctor. |
Your Pharmacist
If you bought a medicine without a prescription, discuss your possible side-effects with your pharmacist.
Your Doctor
The person who prescribed your medicine will want to know about the side-effects and will be able to help. This may be your general practitioner or a hospital specialist. Only your doctors can consider the problem in the full knowledge of your medical history.
Published information
Reference books about medicines are available in larger public libraries. Some of these are directed at patients and others at health professionals.
The internet
Using powerful search engines, the internet is a much quicker way of finding information than delving in libraries and making requests for copies of information held elsewhere. Although in some ways the internet is like another source of published information, it is different in two important respects i.e.
- information can be modified rapidly and frequently
- there are no controls on what is put on it.
Both these differences have advantages and disadvantages. Information on the internet is likely to be more up-to-date and much can be found that is not available in paper form. However, it is not a permanent record and the relevant information may be gone the next time you look. Books and journals, on the other hand, have review processes which provide some assurance of quality. The internet does not. The internet contains medical information targeted at both health professionals and lay people. You may well be able to find the experiences of patients with the same problems or taking the same treatments as yourself. Whilst these are of interest, it is important not to put too much weight on what has happened to others in apparently similar circumstances. There could be significant differences in their medical background or treatment and, even if there are not, you will not necessarily have the same outcome, whether good or bad.
The manufacturer
Pharmaceutical companies spend many years, and millions of pounds, developing new medicines and the company who market a medicine have extensive information on their effects. If you have a specific question about the effects of your medicine, you may wish to write to them. The name and address of the manufacturer is contained in the patient information leaflet. The manufacturer will not able to advise on your particular circumstances.
The government
The government is the regulator of medicines and enforces laws designed to ensure their quality, safety and effectiveness. This work is the responsibility of the Department of Health's Medicines Healthcare products Regulatory Agency advised by an expert body called the Committee on Safety of Medicines. As part of their role in ensuring that medicines are safe, these bodies run the Yellow Card Scheme for reporting of suspected adverse reactions by health professionals. Information from this scheme is available by writing to : The National Yellow Card Information Service, Medicines Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, 1, Nine Elms Lane, London SW8 5NQ. The government will not be able to advise on your particular circumstances.