Fear of taking new medications

[Riles 3]

Does anyone else experience this? If a doctor prescribes me something I’ve never had before I’m Hesitant to take it because I could potentially be allergic or the way my body reacts to it may be serious. I also end up taking it in the end but it’s always on my mind when i do.

[Mrsrpmddo 222]

Oh yes!!! I’m so terrified to take anything. Any time I get sick, I freak out, I’m so scared I’ll have to take something .only medicine I’ll take is Tylenol. I won’t even use ointments or eye drops. I know my fear is irrational. So my point being, I totally understand what you’re going through.

[MobileChucko 23]

Hi Riles...  Well you certainly aren't lone with this phobia, as there are a lot of people out there that have it.  It is known as pharmacophobia.  Often this phobia is acquired when a person mistakes symptoms of an illness, thinking it's the side effects of the medication they are taking to treat it.  I'm glad to hear that you do end-up taking the med, as some people have such a severe phobia, that they refuse to take the medication.  This can be life threatening in something as simple as taking a course of antibiotics.   Of course there are avenues of treatment that a counselor specializing in phobias can apply, as well as a psychiatrist.  The very best to you, Riles!...  Chuck🐈 

[bin_tenn 1252]

My thoughts aren't as intense and I don't even hesitate to take a new medication, but I do indeed experience infrequent thoughts initially. Thoughts about how my body may react. Or how it may make me worse off.

[Ashleyspicer84 84]

I totally have this and it’s BAD. I will even take medicine that I’ve taken before and still freak out. Thinking, what if the pharmacist put the wrong pill in the bottle, what if it’s a bad batch of medicine... so I take the pill and then I watch the clock. For some reason an hour is what I go by. 🤷‍♀️ If it’s been an hour and my throat hasnt closed up i guess I’m not allergic and I’m gonna be okay. 🙄