Side Effect Frequency Reference Tool
Find Your Side Effect Category
Enter a side effect to see its frequency category and where to find it in the label.
Enter a side effect to see its frequency category
When you need to know the real, current side effects of a medication - not what a pharmacy website says, not what an app shows, but the exact wording the FDA approved - you go to DailyMed. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t have a mobile app you can download. But if you’re a doctor, pharmacist, or even a patient who needs to be sure, DailyMed is the only place that gives you the official, unedited drug label as submitted by the manufacturer and accepted by the FDA. No filters. No summaries. Just the truth.
What DailyMed Actually Is
DailyMed isn’t a drug database like WebMD or Medscape. It’s the official archive for Structured Product Labeling (SPL), the electronic format the FDA requires all drug makers to use when submitting their labeling. That means every boxed warning, every dosage adjustment, every side effect listed - it’s all pulled directly from the documents companies send to the FDA. The National Library of Medicine (NLM) runs it, and as of October 2025, it holds over 150,000 drug labels. Updates happen daily. If a company changes a warning on Tuesday, it’s on DailyMed by Wednesday.
Unlike Drugs@FDA (which tracks approval history) or the Orange Book (which checks generic equivalence), DailyMed gives you the current, living document. That’s why 97% of healthcare professionals rate its accuracy as excellent. It’s not the easiest to use, but it’s the most reliable.
How to Find a Drug Label in 4 Steps
Here’s how to get what you need without getting lost:
- Go to DailyMed’s homepage - it’s dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. No login needed.
- Type the drug name into the search box in the top right corner. Try the brand name first - like “Lipitor” - then the generic, “atorvastatin,” if you get too many results.
- Choose the right product. Results show multiple versions: different manufacturers, doses, or formulations. Look for the NDC (National Drug Code) if you have it - it’s the 10-digit number on the pill bottle. That’s your exact match.
- Click “Full Label”. This opens the full SPL document. Scroll down to Section 6: “ADVERSE REACTIONS.” That’s where the side effects are listed in order of frequency and severity.
Don’t skip Step 3. Two different companies can make the same generic drug with slightly different side effect profiles. DailyMed shows each one separately. You need the right one.
Where to Find Side Effects - And What to Look For
Side effects aren’t buried. They’re in Section 6, clearly labeled. But here’s what you won’t find: a simple list of “common side effects.” DailyMed gives you the full clinical breakdown:
- Very common (≥1/10)
- Common (≥1/100 to <1/10)
- Uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100)
- Rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000)
- Very rare (<1/10,000)
It also separates them by system - gastrointestinal, neurological, cardiovascular - and notes if they’re dose-related or linked to specific populations like elderly patients or those with kidney disease. You’ll also see boxed warnings in Section 5. These are FDA-mandated alerts for life-threatening risks. If a drug has one, it’s bold, red, and impossible to miss.
Example: If you’re checking “metformin,” you’ll see diarrhea listed as common. But you’ll also see the rare but deadly risk of lactic acidosis - and the conditions that increase it, like kidney failure or alcohol abuse. That’s the kind of detail you won’t get from a consumer app.
Advanced Search: Finding Side Effects Across Drugs
If you’re a researcher or clinician comparing side effects across a class of drugs - say, all SGLT2 inhibitors - DailyMed’s basic search won’t cut it. Use the Advanced Search option.
Click “Advanced Search” under the main search box. Then:
- Under “Section Title,” type “ADVERSE” or “SIDE EFFECT”
- Under “Drug Class,” select “SGLT2 Inhibitors”
- Click “Search”
This pulls up every label where those terms appear. You can then click through each one to compare. It’s slow, but it’s the only way to see how different manufacturers describe the same risk. One might say “increased risk of genital mycotic infections,” another might say “yeast infections in the genital area.” Both are correct. DailyMed shows you both.
DailyMed vs. FDALabel: Which One Should You Use?
There’s another FDA tool: FDALabel. It’s more powerful, but it’s not for everyone.
| Feature | DailyMed | FDALabel |
|---|---|---|
| Source of Label | Official SPL documents | Same as DailyMed |
| Search by Section | No - you must open each label | Yes - search “ADVERSE REACTIONS” across all drugs |
| Downloadable Format | XML only | XML and CSV exports |
| Best For | Verifying current labeling for a specific drug | Researching side effects across multiple drugs |
| User Interface | Basic, functional | Technical, complex |
For most people - especially patients or frontline clinicians - DailyMed is enough. For researchers, pharmacovigilance teams, or regulatory staff, FDALabel is the tool. But DailyMed is the source. FDALabel just lets you search it faster.
Why People Still Struggle With DailyMed
It’s not user-friendly. That’s the truth. A 2025 NLM survey found 68% of users had trouble finding the adverse reactions section. Why? Because the interface hasn’t changed much since 2015. There’s no dropdown menu. No clickable table of contents. You have to scroll.
Pharmacists report wasting 10-15 minutes per search just to get to the right section. One user on Reddit shared how they used the SET ID - a hidden identifier tied to each label version - to resolve a conflict between two generic versions of a blood thinner. That’s expert-level stuff. Most people don’t know SET IDs exist.
But here’s the flip side: when a new black box warning drops, DailyMed is the first place it appears. In 2025, the FDA issued 12 safety alerts. All 12 were posted on DailyMed before any other public source. If you’re relying on a third-party app, you’re 24-72 hours behind.
What’s Coming Next
DailyMed isn’t standing still. In Q1 2026, a redesigned interface is coming - one that will let you jump straight to adverse reactions with one click. The NLM is also working with the FDA to link DailyMed directly to the Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). That means if 500 people report a rare heart rhythm issue after taking a drug, that data will soon appear right next to the label’s side effect section.
They’re also improving mobile access. Right now, the site works on phones, but it’s clunky. The new version will be optimized for touch. No more pinching and zooming to read a 20-page label on a tiny screen.
Who Should Use DailyMed - And Who Shouldn’t
You should use DailyMed if:
- You’re a healthcare provider verifying a label before prescribing
- You’re a pharmacist checking a new warning for a patient
- You’re a researcher analyzing side effect patterns
- You’re a patient who needs absolute certainty - not a summary
You should NOT use DailyMed if:
- You want a simple list of “common side effects” (use a consumer app instead)
- You’re looking for pill images (DailyMed removed them in 2021)
- You need pricing or insurance info (it doesn’t have any)
DailyMed doesn’t replace clinical decision tools like Micromedex or Lexicomp. Those are faster, prettier, and integrated into hospital systems. But DailyMed is the source they all check before they publish anything. If you want the original, unfiltered truth - this is it.
Final Tip: Always Check the Effective Time
Every label on DailyMed shows an “Effective Time” - the exact date and time the label was last updated. Always look for it. If you see two versions of the same drug, pick the one with the most recent Effective Time. That’s the one you need.
And remember: if you’re ever unsure, the NLM has free video tutorials and a help desk. They respond in under two business days. It’s not perfect. But it’s the most accurate drug information system in the U.S. - and likely the world.
Is DailyMed free to use?
Yes, DailyMed is completely free. It’s funded by the U.S. government through the National Library of Medicine. No registration, no subscription, no paywalls. Anyone can access it - patients, doctors, researchers, or just curious people.
How often is DailyMed updated?
DailyMed updates every day. Pharmaceutical companies are required to submit changes to the FDA within 30 days of any label update. Once the FDA accepts the submission, DailyMed publishes it - usually within 24 hours. This makes it the fastest public source for new safety information.
Can I find side effects for animal drugs on DailyMed?
Yes. DailyMed includes labels for both human and animal drugs. Use the filter on the homepage to switch between “Human Prescription,” “Human OTC,” and “Animal” drugs. The search works the same way - just select the right category before searching.
Why doesn’t DailyMed have pill images anymore?
DailyMed removed its pill image library in October 2021 because the API that provided them was discontinued. However, if a manufacturer includes an image directly in their SPL submission, it may still appear in the label. But this is rare. For pill identification, use resources like Drugs.com or the NIH’s Pillbox.
Is DailyMed more reliable than WebMD or Medscape?
Yes, for official labeling. WebMD and Medscape summarize and interpret drug information. DailyMed gives you the raw FDA-approved label. While those sites are useful for quick overviews, DailyMed is the source they reference when accuracy matters. If there’s a conflict, DailyMed wins.
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Caspian Fothergill
Hello, my name is Caspian Fothergill. I am a pharmaceutical expert with years of experience in the industry. My passion for understanding the intricacies of medication and their effects on various diseases has led me to write extensively on the subject. I strive to help people better understand their medications and how they work to improve overall health. Sharing my knowledge and expertise through writing allows me to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
I used DailyMed last week to check a weird reaction my grandma had to her blood pressure med. Found the exact rare side effect in Section 6 that no pharmacy app mentioned. Took me 20 minutes to navigate but worth it. She’s fine now.
Thanks for the guide.
People act like DailyMed is some sacred text but let’s be real it’s just a glorified XML dump. If you’re not a pharmacist or a coder you’re wasting your time. Why not just use a decent app that summarizes it for you? We don’t live in 2005 anymore.
I get why Michael is salty but honestly DailyMed saved my butt when I was cross-checking my thyroid med. Two generics looked the same but one had a hidden warning for elderly patients. I almost missed it. This isn’t about being techy-it’s about safety.
You know what’s beautiful? The fact that this is free. No ads. No paywall. Just pure data from the FDA. 🙏
It’s not pretty but it’s honest. Like a doctor who tells you the truth even when it’s ugly. That’s rare these days.
The structural integrity of the SPL format is fundamentally superior to consumer-facing aggregators. The metadata schema ensures traceability, version control, and semantic interoperability with regulatory systems. While UX is suboptimal, the data fidelity remains unmatched.
If you’re still using WebMD for serious med info you’re playing with fire. DailyMed is the armor. Learn it. Use it. Share it. Your life or someone else’s could depend on it.
DailyMed is the last bastion of medical truth in a world of algorithmic fluff. WebMD turns side effects into TikTok memes. Medscape sanitizes warnings into bullet points. But DailyMed? It doesn’t care if you’re overwhelmed. It just gives you the raw, uncut truth. Like a priest confessing sins-no sugarcoating. And honestly? That’s why I respect it. Even if it looks like a 2007 Geocities page.
To everyone saying it’s outdated: yes. But here’s the thing-it’s the only place that doesn’t lie. I teach nursing students how to use it. They hate it at first. Then they realize it’s the only thing that won’t get them sued. It’s not about convenience. It’s about accountability. And if you’re not using it, you’re not doing your job right.
i was just tryna find side effects for my anxiety med and ended up reading about lactic acidosis for 45 mins like a total nerd 😅
also why does it still look like my old windows xp? 😭
I just used the advanced search to compare all SGLT2 inhibitors for a research project. Took me two hours but I found three subtle differences in how manufacturers described ketoacidosis risk. One said 'rare', another said 'reported in patients with fasting glucose >200'. That’s the difference between a guess and real science.
I used to skip DailyMed until my mom had a bad reaction. Turned out the generic version she was on had a different warning than the brand. I found it on DailyMed. Now I check every med I take there. It’s slow but it’s the only one I trust.
Big fan of the Effective Time tip. I used to grab the first result until I learned that. Now I always sort by date. Also, if you’re on mobile, use Chrome’s desktop site mode-it’s way easier to scroll.
I literally cried when I saw the new UI is coming in 2026. After years of pinching and zooming through 30-page labels on my phone… I finally feel seen. 😭😭😭
i used dailymed once. took me 20 mins to find the side effects. then i just googled the drug + side effects and got the same info in 2 seconds. why do we still use this? 🤷♂️
DailyMed doesn’t lie. That’s all you need to know.