# About seven in ten weigh side effects when choosing a medication

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/health/about-seven-in-ten-weigh-side-effects-when-choosing-a-medication/

> Indexed question in Health.

## Reading

Most Americans (69%) agree that potential side effects shape which medication they reach for, including 32% who strongly agree, according to a May 2026 Verasight survey.

About a fifth (21%) sit in the middle, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and just 10% disagree, including 4% who strongly disagree.

## Topline

Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statement: When choosing a medication, my decision is influenced by potential side effects.

About seven in ten weigh side effects when choosing a medication.

Net findings combine adjacent response options from the same scale.

- Slightly agree: 36.8%
- Strongly agree: 32.5%
- Neither agree nor disagree: 20.8%
- Slightly disagree: 5.8%
- Strongly disagree: 4.1%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2026-05-11 → 2026-05-11
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.3%
- Module: beliefs
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-1.17](https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-1.17)

## Citation

Verasight SPSP Omnibus Survey #2026-045, fielded May 11-11, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.3%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-1.17](https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-1.17)