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Side effects/adverse reactions to medications

In this section

  1. 1
    Introduction
  2. 2
    Scope
  3. 3
    Legal and Regulatory context
  4. 4
    Duty of Care
  5. 5
    Principles
  6. 6
    Responsibilites
  7. 7
    Training and competency
  8. 8
    Information required before staff may assist with medication
  9. 9
    People assessed as able to manage their own medication
  10. 10
    Prompting/assisting with/administering medication
  11. 11
    Emergency Medication Administration
  12. 12
    Side effects/adverse reactions to medications
  13. 13
    Medication administration errors and incidents
  14. 14
    Ordering/receiving medication supplies
  15. 15
    Storing medication safely
  1. 16
    Cutting Medication
  2. 17
    Continuity of care
  3. 18
    Returning medication at the end of service/disposal of unwanted medication
  4. 19
    Controlled drugs
  5. 20
    Medication records and data protection
  6. 21
    Medication audits
  7. 22
    Emergency Planning
  8. 23
    Concerns and complaints
  9. 24
    Implementing, monitoring and reviewing policy
  10. 25
    Appendix 1: Definitions
  11. 26
    Appendix 2: What must be recorded on the MAR
  12. 27
    Appendix 3: Minimum requirements: Staff guidance and procedures for over-the-counter products for general use
  13. 28
    Appendix 4: Legal Context
  14. 29
    Policy Details

12.1    If someone becomes unwell after taking a new medication, this may be caused by the medication or a reaction with another medication.  


12.2    If a side effect or adverse reaction is suspected, staff must immediately:

  • seek and follow medical advice from the person’s GP or the NHS 111 health line 
  • call 999 if the person is having difficulty breathing
  • advise a line / on call manager as appropriate 
  • record what happened and actions taken on the MAR and in the case notes. 
  • Review the British National Formulary (BNF) for guidance

Policy published : July 2022    

Policy reviewed: September 2026

Last reviewed: