Medication side effects & storage — observe and report

New dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, rashes, stomach upset, or falls after a medication change are reportable — you never decide to stop, skip, or adjust a medication, but your observations drive the prescriber's decisions.

1. 1Know when medications changed — new drug, new dose — and watch extra closely for 1–2 weeks after.
2. 2Common reportable reactions: dizziness or falls, unusual sleepiness, confusion, rash or itching, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, appetite loss, unusual bruising or bleeding.
3. 3Severe allergic reaction (face/tongue swelling, trouble breathing, widespread hives): 911.
4. 4Never stop or skip a medication because of a suspected side effect — report and let the nurse/prescriber decide. Sudden stopping can be dangerous.
5. 5Storage: keep medications in original containers, cool and dry (not the steamy bathroom), locked or out of reach if children visit or the client has dementia.
6. 6Report expired medications, doubled-up bottles, or 'borrowed' medications from family — don't dispose of them yourself unless directed.

In older adults a new medication is one of the most common causes of sudden confusion and falls. When something changes in the client, 'did a medication change recently?' is always worth asking out loud to the care team.