The Matson Evaluation of Drug Side-effects (MEDS) is a 93 item scale designed to assess side effects common to psychotropic medication use. Parents/caretakers familiar with the individual rates each item. Nine domains comprise the MEDS: 1) Cardiovascular/Hematologic; 2) Gastrointestinal; 3) Endocrine/Genitourinary; 4) Eye/Ear/Nose/Throat; 5) Skin/Allergies/Temperature; 6) CNS-General; 7) CNS-Dystonia; 8) CNS-Parkinsonism/Dyskinesia; and 9) CNS-Akathasia. Sample items include 'Rapid breathing'; 'Change in appetite'; 'Excessive hair loss'; 'Rashes'; and 'Tires easily.'

References:

Advokat, C. D., Mayville, E. A., & Matson, J. L. (2000). Side effect profiles of atypical antipsychotics, typical antipsychotics, or no psychotropic medications in persons with mental retardation. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 21(1), 75-84.

Matson, J.L. (1998). Matson Evaluation of Drug Side-effects (MEDS). Baton Rouge, LA: Disability Consultants, LLC.

Matson, J. L., Mayville, E. A., & Bamburg, J. W. (2001). An analysis of side-effect profiles of anti-seizure medications in persons with intellectual disability using the Matson Evaluation of Drug Side Effects (MEDS). Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 26(4), 283-295.

Matson, J. L., Mayville, E. A., Bielecki, J., Barnes, W. H., Bamburg, J. W., & Baglio, C. S. (1998). Reliability of the Matson Evaluation of Drug Side Effects Scale (MEDS). Research in Developmental Disabilities, 19(6), 501-506.