All drugs have unwanted effects. These vary from individual to individual and depend on the type of drug and dose given. Sometimes the side-effects disappear after a few days or weeks; other side-effects are more troublesome and persistent. It is very important to report to your doctor any unwanted effects the drug seems to be having. The unpleasant effects can often be eliminated, reduced in severity or made more tolerable by a range of simple strategies.

Strategies your doctor may suggest include:

In addition, strategies that you can adopt yourself to deal with side-effects include the following:

Side-effect

Strategy for coping with it

Appetite (increase)

Eat a diet that is low in fat and high in fibre

Avoid sugary or fatty foods

Drink low-calorie soft drinks

Constipation

Increase exercise

Increase fibre in diet

Increase fluid intake

Dizziness

Get up slowly from lying or sitting

Avoid excessively hot showers or baths

Avoid alcohol, sedatives or other sedating drugs (eg marijuana)

Drowsiness

Take medication in a single dose before bedtime (talk to the doctor about this first). If you feel sleepy during the day, you should not drive or work with machinery.

Dry mouth

Ensure regular fluid intake

Limit alcohol and caffeine (both enhance water loss)

Use sugarless gums, fruit pastilles and lollies (sugar will promote dental decay)

Suck on ice cubes

If it is very bad, ask your doctor about artificial saliva (Luborant)

Sensitivity to sunburn

Avoid the midday sun

Regularly use sunscreen and wear a hat, sunglasses and shirt

Ask your doctor for a prescription for sunscreen

Adapted from Andrews G, Jenkins R, eds. Management of Mental Disorders (UK Edition). Sydney: World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, 1999. Distributed for the publishers in the UK by IN 2 Mail Ltd, Fax: +44 (0)1252 3622315; PO Box 55, Aldershot, Hampshire GU12 4FP.

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