# Many Americans expect some side effects from over-the-counter meds

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/health/many-americans-expect-some-side-effects-from-over-the-counter-meds/

> Indexed question in Health.

## Reading

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

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.

Many Americans expect some side effects from over-the-counter meds.

Net findings combine adjacent response options from the same scale.

- 3: 37.5%
- 4: 20.0%
- 2: 17.0%
- 5 - Strongly agree: 13.9%
- 1 - Strongly disagree: 11.6%

## 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-1.32](https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-1.32)

## 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-1.32](https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-1.32)