Why are some side effects not listed?

Hey:

I was just wondering why some side effects such as cognitive delays not listed on any medication labels.

Everyone always describes medication as making them feel different but it's never been labeled on a bottle.

Is it because it's intangible? Unrealistic to mark? Happens only to a super small amount of people? Is just what "normal" feels like?

~Lilly

"Normal feels like" (?) Sorry stupid isn't my normal and I find it sad when others think trading their brain is a viable option.

(Not pointing fingers at you, just saying I've heard people are ok with stupid and stable)

Idk why they don't list it, Topomax apparantly does, so maybe its only listed when its a common side effect.

I read somewhere that they aren't obligated to list every possible side effect, save for the dangerous ones. Idk if it's true and have been out of the med game for 2yrs, but seems likely IMO.

Probably because they can't list EVERY possible side effect and "cognitive delay" is a relative term.

Because they can write it off as "it's your illness not the drugs".

I'd be tempted to say "doc, maybe for you it's normal for you to be stupid, but it's not normal for me"

I love it!
Wish I had thought of that while I was still in the MH system, would've loved to see pdoc's expression and hear his reply!

Technically the occurrence of the side effect has to be above a certain percentage before it is required to be noted in the med inserts for the drug. There is also a reporting system to the FDA where you can report problems with a med which is where many drug recalls and black box warnings originate. If you are having a problem with a med, you can certainly go that route.