Table 3

Examples of problems caused by medicines

Nature of problemExamples
Side effectsNumbness, oral thrush, nausea, vomiting, giddiness
Stopped taking new medicine because of side effects
ConcernsNot keen – don’t believe in taking pills
Worried about taking new medicine, for example because of previous side effects, allergy, potential interactions
Practical aspectsTablets difficult to swallow
Hard to remember complicated regime
Have to take half a tablet and hard to break accurately