Log a Side Effect

Medication Name

Date & Time

Side Effect

Severity (1-10)

5

Mild Moderate Severe

Notes (optional)

Your Symptom Log

Entries: 0

No side effects logged yet. Add your first entry above.

Summary Insights

Log multiple entries to see patterns, like most frequent side effects or severity trends.

Why Track Side Effects?

Many medications can cause side effects, but their timing, severity, and frequency vary greatly. Keeping a structured log helps you and your clinician distinguish between common, transient effects and those needing attention.

How to Use This Tracker

Record the medication name and the exact time you took it.
Log any suspected side effects as soon as you notice them.
Rate severity (1-10) and add notes about context (e.g., "after food", "when standing").
Review the log before appointments to give precise, factual information.

Example Patterns

Timing: Headache starts 2 hours after dose, fades by 6 hours.
Severity trend: Dizziness was 8/10 on day 1, improved to 3/10 by day 7.
Context: Nausea only occurs when medication is taken on an empty stomach.

Side Effect	Common Medications	Typical Onset	When to Seek Urgent Care
Dry cough	ACE inhibitors (e.g., Lisinopril)	Weeks to months	If cough is severe or causes vomiting
Dizziness/lightheadedness	Blood pressure medications, diuretics	Hours to days	If you faint, have chest pain, or vision changes
Nausea	Antibiotics, NSAIDs, metformin	Minutes to hours	If you cannot keep liquids down for 24h

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

This checklist helps identify potential emergencies. If you check any item, contact a healthcare professional immediately or go to the emergency room.

Check any items that apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is this tracker?

This is a logging tool, not a diagnostic system. Its accuracy depends on your consistent, honest input. It helps organize information but cannot confirm causation.

When should I contact my doctor about a side effect?

Contact them for any severe effect (rating 8+), effects that worsen over time, or any symptom from the "red flag" checklist. Also discuss effects that impact your daily life.

Will my data be saved if I close the browser?

No. This tool runs 100% offline in your current browser tab. Data is stored only in memory and will be lost on page refresh or close. For long-term tracking, manually record the information elsewhere.

How do I measure severity accurately?

Use a personal scale: 1-3 (mild, barely noticeable), 4-6 (moderate, bothersome but functional), 7-10 (severe, disrupts activity or unbearable). Consistency matters more than the exact number.

Formulas & Assumptions

Severity Scale: Linear 1-10 scale (1=minimal, 10=most severe).
Summary Insights: Calculates average severity, most frequent side effect, and time-based patterns from logged entries.
Rounding: Averages rounded to one decimal place.
Assumption: User records entries promptly and accurately. No causality is assumed between medication and logged symptoms.

Medication Side Effects Tracker

Menu

Medication Side Effects Tracker

AI Assistant

Was this tool helpful?