Side effects
Many medicines can cause side effects. Most are mild, and there is a clear way to report suspected side effects in the UK.
- Updated August 2026
- Clinical review pending
- 2 sources
At a glance
- Medicines can cause side effects — the leaflet lists the possible ones.
- You can report suspected side effects to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
On this page (2 sections)
Overview
Like all medicines, prescribed and over-the-counter medicines can cause side effects. The patient information leaflet lists the side effects that have been reported, and most are mild [1].
What to do
If you are worried about a possible side effect, a pharmacist or your prescriber can advise, and you should seek medical help if a reaction is severe. You can also report a suspected side effect to the MHRA through the Yellow Card scheme, which helps monitor medicine safety [2].
Sources
- NHS. Medicines A to Z (opens in new tab) Accessed 12 August 2026.
- MHRA. Yellow Card scheme — report a suspected side effect (opens in new tab) Accessed 12 August 2026.
About this page
- Written by
- Consumer Health editorial team
- Medical review
- Pending — this page has not yet been reviewed by a named clinician. Read our medical review policy.
- Last updated
- August 2026
- Next review due
- August 2027
Important: This information is for general guidance only and does not replace professional medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. Always speak to a qualified healthcare professional — such as your GP or pharmacist — for advice about your individual circumstances, and do not start, stop or change any prescribed treatment based only on this page. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 999. Consumer Health is an independent health-information resource and is not the NHS or a government body.
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