Medication Side Effects That Send Patients to the ER

Not Every Emergency Is a New Illness

When someone goes to the emergency room, most assume something new has happened.

But in many cases—especially for older adults—the cause is not a new diagnosis.

👉 It’s a reaction to medication.

Common Medication-Related Emergencies

Some of the most frequent reasons patients seek emergency care include:

  • Dizziness leading to falls
  • Confusion or sudden cognitive changes
  • Weakness or fatigue
  • Low blood pressure
  • Over-sedation
  • Drug interactions

These symptoms can escalate quickly if not recognized early.

Why These Symptoms Are Missed

Medication-related issues are often overlooked because they resemble:

  • Normal aging
  • Dementia
  • General illness

This can delay intervention and increase risk.

A Real-Life Pattern

A patient starts a new medication.

Within days:

  • They feel dizzy
  • They become weak
  • They fall

The fall brings them to the ER—but the underlying issue may be the medication itself.

What to Watch For

Be especially alert if symptoms begin:

✔ After starting a new medication
✔ After a dose change
✔ When multiple medications are adjusted

What You Can Do

✔ Track when symptoms begin
✔ Review recent medication changes
✔ Speak up early
✔ Ask if medications could be the cause

Key Takeaway

👉 If something changes after a medication change—pay attention.

Early recognition can prevent hospitalization.

Awareness is one of the most powerful tools patients and families have.

Recognizing the signs early can make all the difference.

LORI IS EXTREMELY TALENTED!

What a great use of Lori’s talents!

I worked with Lori for several years during my career as an orthopedic surgeon. I know her to be not only compassionate and understanding but also a tireless advocate for what is right.

In difficult situations she was unwavering in her quest to enable me to provide the best possible care for my patients. She knows the system and how to work through it (and around it whenever necessary

LORI JUMPED RIGHT IN

If you are in need of a patient advocate, I would highly recommend Lori Schellenberg. She is extremely knowledgeable, effective, and professional. Knows when to be strong and forceful yet loving and caring with your loved one and your family. I was concerned about an elderly family member who had several severe falls, was forgetting to take medication, not eating healthy and not keeping up with housekeeping yet insistent she was fine and staying in her home. Even though Lori lived out of state she made phone calls on our behalf, made several recommendations to help us provide what our loved one needed and was an intermediary when it was necessary. Lori’s knowledge of geriatrics, continuous care/assisted living facilities, the health care system, long term care insurance and hospice is invaluable. She helped us put together a plan that provided the best and continuous care necessary for our loved one and our family. We are extremely thankful for her help and look forward to continuing to work with her as our loved one moves through the next phases of her life’s journey, thus enabling us to create loving memories.

LORI JUMPED RIGHT IN

My husband underwent nasal surgery 6 months ago, after he had a negative sleep study test and was referred to an ENT doctor due to continued fatigue and snoring.

Unfortunately, he developed two different serious infections, and we were concerned about his ongoing treatment with the ENT. In fact, we were very anxious because he wasn’t getting better but the surgeon was not clear with us as to what to do next.

When describing what was going on, Lori jumped right in, when she found out my husband was actually at the surgeon’s office at that time, and still did not understand the situation. She recommended that my husband ask to have the surgeon come back into the room, and to call her so that she could speak to the surgeon with my husband in the room. Lori was very professional and knowledgeable in her approach with his surgeon. She established a treatment plan, in a way that my husband could understand, and why this was the plan. She also discussed the “what ifs” the current treatment plan did not work. He ordered further tests to be completed prior to his next appointment, if he did not improve.

She followed up with my husband and I to make sure we understood the plan.

By advocating for my husband, Lori relieved a lot of anxiety and stress that this current medical concern was causing, and they felt more confident in the surgeon’s care.

We highly recommend Lori and Stepping Stone Advocacy Services, if you are experiencing a medical condition, and don’t know where to turn for answers. She is experienced and professional, yet able to discuss medical terms in a way that we understood.