We're all aware that any medications we take for Migraines or headaches have potential adverse events or side effects. They're listed in the official FDA approved labeling and in the patient information we're given when we pick up our prescriptions.
What many people don't realize is that the reporting of adverse events doesn't stop when the FDA approves the medications. In fact, the FDA counts on both doctors and patients to report problems with medications. They follow these reports and, when necessary, ask the pharmaceutical companies to change the labeling and patient information to include new information that has come to light through after marketing reporting. This is also part of how some medications come to have black box warnings.
The FDA has reporting systems in place for prescription and over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, medical devices, and foods. The reporting system for medications if the FDAs MedWatch. Reporting medication problems is easier than you may think. There's an online form for filing these reports.
This video explains the FDA reporting system and will give you the basics you need to be able to report any problems you may have with your medications.
You can find more information on this page of the FDA web site: MedWatch: The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. If you have problems with a medication, don't count on someone else to report it. Make sure it gets reported by reporting it yourself. This is one more way we can take charge of our health and our health care.
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Medical review by John Claude Krusz, PhD, MD.
© Teri Robert, 2010Last updated Febryary 24, 2010
