Fear of new medicines (neopharmaphobia)

Neopharmaphobia is a fear of new drugs, meaning new medicines or treatments rather than recreational substances. A person might worry about side effects, hesitate to start a prescription or avoid new treatments altogether. If you have doubts about a medicine you have been given, a GP or pharmacist can talk them through.

About this phobia

The term joins the Greek neos, meaning new, with pharmakon, meaning drug or remedy. It is rarely reported and mostly found on lists of phobias. It is related to pharmacophobia, a broader fear of taking medicines.

What it feels like

• Reading the leaflet again and again before taking a first dose
• Putting off starting a new prescription
• Watching closely for any change in the body after a new tablet

Explore more unusual fears in the rare phobias A to Z, or browse the common phobias.

Common questions

Is it normal to feel nervous about a new medicine?

A little nervousness is very common, and asking questions is sensible. It becomes a problem when the worry stops you taking treatment you need. Speak to your GP or pharmacist before stopping or skipping any prescribed medicine.

How can you help?

I use hypnotherapy and NLP to change how your mind responds to the thing you fear, so the old alarm stops going off. Sessions are one to one over Zoom, and you get a recording of the hypnosis to listen to afterwards.

How many sessions will I need?

Many clients notice a real difference after one 90 minute session. If the fear goes back a long way, three sessions gives us room to make the change stick.

Ready to start?

Book a £49 consultation call and we’ll talk through your fear, or take the free suitability test first.

See all session options and prices