Common problems

Is it my medicine?

Hea takes your symptom history, asks which medicines you take, and shows where the US FDA product information mentions your symptom. It never tells you to stop. That's for your doctor or pharmacist.

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Free in the beta · Works inside the AI you already use · Last reviewed 5 November 2026

A new symptom since you started a medicine, and you can't tell if the two are linked. The leaflet is long, and you don't want to stop something you were told to take. You'd like to know what the product information actually says before you speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

How Hea helps

Urgent signs first, then where to go Today

Hea asks about urgent signs before anything else, then shows where the NHS advises you to go, in the NHS's own words.

The questions a GP would ask, including your medicines Today

Hea asks how the symptom started and how long it has lasted, and always asks which medicines you take and any allergies. Your answers go into a note to take to your GP or pharmacist.

What the US FDA product information mentions Today

After you confirm the note, you can ask for the reading. For common medicines on Hea's list, Hea shows the sentences of the US FDA product information that mention your symptom. A sentence with a "not" or a comparison with placebo is marked "read with care".

What it looks like

Example · fictional data

Hea, could my symptom be from my medicine?

What the product information mentions

Your symptomA dry cough for 6 weeks (your words)Urgent signs askedYou ticked noneYour medicineA blood pressure tablet you namedUS FDA product informationMentions "cough" in its adverse reactionsRead with careOne sentence compares with placeboBefore changing anythingTalk to your GP or pharmacist

Fictional example. Being listed doesn't make a medicine the cause.

What you’ll get

Where the NHS says to go, in its own words, urgent signs first
A note for your GP or pharmacist with your symptom, when it started and your medicines
The sentences of the US FDA product information that mention your symptom, with "read with care" marks
A clear reminder not to stop or change a prescribed medicine on your own

Safety first

Don't stop or change a prescribed medicine without talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

A medicine being listed with a symptom doesn't make it the cause, and Hea never says it is.

In an emergency, call 999 or go to A&E.

Questions people ask

Should I stop my medicine if I think it's causing side effects?

No, not on your own. Don't stop or change a prescribed medicine without talking to your doctor or pharmacist. They can look at your symptom and your medicines together and decide what to do.

Can a pharmacist help with side effects?

Yes. The NHS says pharmacists can advise on how to use your medicine and on worries about side effects. If they can't help, they can refer you to a GP or another health professional.

How do I report a side effect?

Report it to the Yellow Card scheme, run by the UK medicines regulator (MHRA). Anyone can report a suspected side effect, and you can also report on behalf of someone you care for.

Why does Hea use US FDA product information?

Because it's published openly. The US Food and Drug Administration publishes product labels through openFDA, while UK product information has no open interface Hea can read. US wording can differ from your UK leaflet, and Hea reads the label for the tablet form, so check your own leaflet too.

What does it mean when Hea says a label "mentions" my symptom?

Only that the word appears in the label's warnings or adverse reactions. A label lists many reactions, and being listed doesn't make a medicine the cause. A sentence that says the symptom was not seen, or compares with placebo, is marked "read with care".

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