What common reason leads patients to stop taking medications?

Patients often discontinue medications due to side effects because these adverse reactions can significantly impact their quality of life. When individuals experience unpleasant symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, fatigue, or other discomforting effects from a medication, they may perceive the burden of these side effects to outweigh the benefits of the treatment. This can lead to an emotional response where the patient feels that managing their condition is not worth the discomfort caused by the medication.

While factors like the cost of medication and insufficient instructions can contribute to non-adherence, side effects are more immediately recognizable and can play a direct role in a patient's daily life, prompting them to stop taking the medication altogether. Drug interactions are important to consider, but they typically occur less frequently than the common experience of side effects that patients encounter. Understanding the impact of side effects on medication adherence can help healthcare providers better support their patients, keeping open lines of communication about potential reactions and alternative treatment options if necessary.