Medication Side Effect Burden Calculator
Assess the overall side effect burden of psychiatric medications based on severity scores, number of medications, and treatment duration.
About this calculator
This calculator summarizes severity ratings for as many as the first three medications. Number of Medications is rounded to a whole number, kept at one or higher, and capped at three for scoring. With one active medication, only Medication 1 enters the total; with two, Medication 1 and 2 enter; with three or more, all three ratings enter. Each severity is independently constrained to 0–10 before being added. Average Burden divides Total Burden by the number of scored medications, not by the full medication count when it exceeds three. Burden Category is based on that average: level 1 below 4, level 2 from 4 through 6.9, and level 3 at 7 or above. Cumulative Burden multiplies the total by a duration factor.
The factor starts at 1 for month one, adds 0.05 per additional month, and reaches its ceiling of 2 at month 21. Longer durations do not raise it further. The result is a tracking heuristic, not a validated medication safety scale. It does not identify individual side effects, dose, timing, interactions, treatment benefit, withdrawal risk, adherence, laboratory findings, or urgent symptoms. Medications beyond the first three are not individually represented even when the entered count is higher. Do not stop or change a psychiatric medication from this score alone; use the underlying symptom details and clinical guidance when discussing tolerability with a prescriber.
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; only the first three medications are scored individually.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 5 / 30 | 6.3 (duration-adjusted) |
| 3 | 6 / 30 | 7.5 (duration-adjusted) |
| 6 | 9 / 30 | 11.3 (duration-adjusted) |
| 10 | 13 / 30 | 16.3 (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 . Checked against 3 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators. Built by Paul Gunder, a software engineer, not a licensed financial, medical, or legal professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which medication ratings are included in Total Burden?
The rounded medication count selects the first one, first two, or all three severity fields. Counts above three still use only those three because the engine caps the active scored set at three.
How is the burden category chosen?
The category uses Average Burden Per Med rather than the total. An average below 4 is level 1, 4 through 6.9 is level 2, and 7 or higher is level 3.
Does treatment duration increase cumulative burden forever?
No. The multiplier rises by five percent of the total for each month after the first, then reaches a maximum factor of two at 21 months and remains capped thereafter.
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