Medication Side Effect Burden Calculator
Assess the overall side effect burden of psychiatric medications based on severity scores, number of medications, and treatment duration.
Medical Disclaimer
This calculator is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of results from this tool.
Inputs
Results
Total Burden Score
7 / 30
Cumulative Burden
8.8 (duration-adjusted)
How to Use This Calculator
- Rate the side effect severity for Medication 1 on the provided scale (0 = none, higher = more severe).
- Add Medication 2 and Medication 3 severity ratings if you take multiple medications.
- Enter the total Number of Medications and Treatment Duration (months).
- Review Total Burden Score and Burden Category to assess overall side effect load.
- Share Cumulative Burden with your prescriber to evaluate whether medication adjustments would improve your quality of life.
How the result changes with Medication 1 Side Effect Severity
| Medication 1 Side Effect Severity | Total Burden Score | Cumulative Burden |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 / 30 | 5 (duration-adjusted) |
| 3.5 | 6.5 / 30 | 8.1 (duration-adjusted) |
| 6.5 | 9.5 / 30 | 11.9 (duration-adjusted) |
| 9 | 12 / 30 | 15 (duration-adjusted) |
What each input means
- Medication 1 Side Effect Severity
- Rate overall side effect severity for medication 1, 0 = no side effects, 10 = severe/intolerable.
- Medication 2 Side Effect Severity
- Rate overall side effect severity for medication 2, 0 = no side effects, 10 = severe/intolerable.
- Medication 3 Side Effect Severity
- Rate overall side effect severity for medication 3, 0 = no side effects, 10 = severe/intolerable.
- Number of Medications
- Total number of psychiatric medications currently taking (max 3 scored individually).
- Treatment Duration
- How long you have been on the current medication regimen in months.
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersMedication 1 Side Effect Severity = 4, Medication 2 Side Effect Severity = 3, Medication 3 Side Effect Severity = 0, Number of Medications = 2 = 5 input(s) provided
- Calculate Total Burden ScoreTotal Burden Score7 = 7
- Calculate Cumulative BurdenCumulative Burden8.8 = 8.8
- Calculate Average Burden Per MedAverage Burden Per Med3.5 = 3.5
- Calculate Burden CategoryBurden Category1 = 1
Engine last updated .
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