Before You Google Your Medication Side Effects, Read This

Google searches can be helpful. They can also be pretty scary when it comes to medications.

We frequently get calls from patients who were perfectly comfortable starting a new medication, until they Googled it. Five minutes later, they’ve found a long list of possible side effects and are wondering whether they should take the first dose at all.

I understand why. Some of those warnings sound terrifying.

But a list of possible side effects doesn’t always tell you how likely they are, who may be most at risk, how serious they are, or how the potential risk compares with the benefit of treating your condition.

That context matters.

A Scary-Sounding Example

One example I like to use involves a class of diabetes medications called SGLT2 inhibitors.

These medications carry a warning about a rare but serious condition called Fournier’s gangrene, a type of necrotizing fasciitis that affects the genital and perineal area.

Read that during a late-night Google search and your first thought might be:

“There is absolutely no way I’m taking this medication.”

That reaction is understandable. Fournier’s gangrene is serious and requires immediate medical attention.

But there’s another piece of information that’s equally important: it’s rare.

The FDA warning exists because the condition is serious, not because it commonly happens to people taking these medications.

SGLT2 inhibitors lower blood sugar partly by causing more glucose to leave the body through the urine. Genital infections are a known potential side effect of this medication class, and rare cases of Fournier’s gangrene have been reported in people taking these medications.

The point isn’t to ignore the warning. It’s to understand the warning in context.

Patients taking an SGLT2 inhibitor should seek prompt medical attention if they develop tenderness, redness, or swelling around the genital or perineal area, particularly when accompanied by fever or feeling generally unwell.

Knowing what to watch for is very different from assuming the worst is going to happen.

Why Are Rare Side Effects Listed?

Before a medication is approved, it goes through clinical trials. But medication safety monitoring doesn’t end once the drug reaches the pharmacy shelf.

Once a medication is being used by a much larger population, additional information about uncommon side effects can emerge. Safety information and medication labeling may be updated as new evidence becomes available.

That means medication information may include very uncommon but serious risks because patients and healthcare professionals need to know about them.

But there’s an important distinction:

Seeing a side effect listed does not mean you’re likely to experience it.

And if you read about an adverse event online, remember that “someone reported this while taking the medication” and “the medication caused this” aren’t always the same thing.

That’s why context matters.

Common Side Effects Need Context Too

Not every side effect you find online is a rare medical emergency.

Depending on the medication, you may see things like:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Stomach upset

Some side effects may be relatively common. Others may be uncommon. Some may improve as your body adjusts to the medication, while others may be a reason to contact your healthcare provider.

And just because a side effect is listed doesn’t mean you will experience it.

Instead of deciding not to take a medication based on a list you found online, there are three questions I encourage patients to ask:

1. How common is it?

There’s a big difference between a side effect experienced by a significant percentage of patients and one that’s extremely rare.

2. How serious is it?

Some side effects are uncomfortable but manageable. Others require immediate medical attention. Knowing the difference is important.

3. What should I do if it happens?

Should you keep taking the medication and mention it at your next appointment? Call your pharmacist or doctor? Stop the medication? Seek immediate medical attention?

The answer depends on the medication and the symptom.

That’s where your pharmacist can help.

Not Every Google Result Is Equal

Another thing to consider is where the information came from.

Reliable medication information can be found through sources such as FDA medication information, the Medication Guide or information provided with your prescription, established medical resources, and your healthcare professionals.

Social media posts, online discussion boards, and individual patient experiences can certainly tell you what happened to someone else, but they don’t necessarily tell you what’s likely to happen to you.

One person’s experience doesn’t account for differences in age, health conditions, other medications, dosage, or countless other factors.

A Warning Doesn’t Automatically Mean a Medication Is a Bad Choice

Every medication decision involves weighing potential benefits against potential risks.

A rare, serious warning doesn’t automatically mean a medication is a bad choice. At the same time, no medication is automatically the right choice for everyone.

The real question is:

Do the expected benefits outweigh the potential risks for this particular patient?

That’s a conversation worth having with your doctor and pharmacist, not something you should have to determine from a Google search by yourself.

Read Something That Scares You? Call Us.

Google isn’t necessarily wrong but it doesn’t know you.

It doesn’t know your medical history, why your doctor prescribed the medication, what other medications you’re taking, or how the side effect you’re reading about applies to your individual situation.

Your pharmacist does have much of that context and can help you make sense of what you’re reading.

If you find something about a new medication that makes you nervous, don’t quietly decide not to take it. Call or stop by Cornwell Pharmacy and tell us what you read and what concerns you.

We can help you understand how common the side effect is, how serious it may be, what symptoms to watch for, and what you should do if you experience it.

We’d much rather spend a few minutes talking through your concerns than have you go home afraid of a medication you may actually need.

Before you let a Google search make the decision for you, ask your pharmacist to help put the information into perspective.

This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Do not start, stop, or change a prescription medication without discussing it with your pharmacist, prescriber, or other qualified healthcare professional.