Many Americans expect some side effects from over-the-counter meds
Core finding
Roughly a third of Americans (34%) say they generally expect to deal with some side effects when they take over-the-counter medications, including 14% who strongly agree, according to a May 2026 Verasight survey.
A larger share (38%) take a neutral stance, while about three-in-ten (29%) disagree, including 12% who strongly disagree.
Topline scale
Many Americans expect some side effects from over-the-counter meds.
Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statement: I generally expect that I'll have to deal with some side effects when I take over-the-counter (non-prescription) medications.
n = 1,000 · May 11, 2026 · MoE ±3.3%
Methodology
Full 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 | May 11, 2026 |
| 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 |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26
Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statement: I generally expect that I'll have to deal with some side effects when I take over-the-counter (non-prescription) medications.
Cite this question
Verasight SPSP Omnibus Survey #2026-045, fielded May 11-11, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.3%.