Worried about side effects? A side effectis an unintendedreactionthat occurs to a medicine at doses normally used for treatment that, in some cases, can cause harm to a patient. All medicines can cause side effects, also known as adverse drug reactions (ADRs), which can range in severity from mild to serious and even life-threatening; these include reactions that are as a result of error, misuse, abuse and where the medicine is usedoutside of its approved use. In the UK, side effects to medicines are monitoredby the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) via the Yellow Card Scheme. Occasionally, side effects can appear after a person has stopped taking the medicine, while some side effects might not be discovered until many people have been taking the medicine for a long time. That’s why it is important for people to report any suspected side effects by completing a Yellow Card. Yellow Cards are used as an early warning system to identify side effects and other problems which might not have been known about before. If a new side effect is found, the MHRA will review the way that the medicine can be used, and the warnings that are given to people taking or using it.Reporting enables the MHRA to make medicines safer for everyone. If you are worried about a symptom that you think may be a side effect: Check the patient information leaflet supplied with the medicine. This lists the known side effects and advises you what to do. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor You can also get information from: NHS Direct in England and Wales on 0845 46 47 (textphone 0845 606 4647) NHS24 in Scotland on 08454 24 24 24 (textphone 18001 08454 24 24 24) If you think a medicine, vaccine or herbal remedy has caused a side effect, please report the problem by completing aYellow Card. The MHRA and the National Pharmacy Association advise that you consult your pharmacist or other health professional about any suspected side effect or adverse reaction from a medicine that you are worried about. The MHRA cannot provide medical advice on individual cases