# Doctors are Americans' top source for medication side-effect info

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/health/doctors-are-americans-top-source-for-medication-side-effect-info/

> Indexed question in Health.

## Reading

When starting a new medication, about two-thirds of Americans (68%) get information about its side effects by talking to their doctor or other medical professionals, a May 2026 Verasight survey finds. Nearly as many turn to the information provided by the pharmacy (62%) or online informational websites like WebMD (59%).

Roughly a quarter (27%) talk to friends and family, while far fewer look to online videos on social media (12%) or text-based social media such as Facebook (8%). Just 5% say they've never taken a medication or looked up information about its side effects.

## Topline

When starting a new medication, I find information about its side effects from

Doctors are Americans' top source for medication side-effect info.

- Talking to my doctor or other medical professionals: 67.6%
- In the information provided by the pharmacy: 62.1%
- Online informational websites (for example WebMD): 59.2%
- Talking to friends and family: 26.9%
- Online videos on social media (for example TikTok/Instagram): 12.4%
- Text based social media (for example Facebook): 8.1%
- I've never taken a medication / looked up information about its side effects: 4.7%

## 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-1.7](https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-1.7)

## 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-1.7](https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-1.7)