R_x: Finding Drug Information

Drug Information Resources: Resources by Topic

But what resource should I begin with? It depends upon the type of information. The tables that follow identify specific resources to answer common questions as well as provide information about the resources themselves. Links to the resources are also given so you can practice with them.

Resources by Topic

Question	First Choices	Next Choices
Adverse effects	AHFS Drug Information, Facts & Comparisons , MICROMEDEX, Clinical Pharmacology [MD Consult]	Manufacturers’ web sites, PDR, PubMed
Bioequivalency	Electronic Orange Book	Clinical Pharmacology [MD Consult]
Chemical Data	AHFS Drug Information	MICROMEDEX
Clinical Trials	ClinicalTrials.gov
Comparative Information	AHFS Drug Information, Facts & Comparisons, MICROMEDEX, Clinical Pharmacology [MD Consult]	EMBASE, PubMed
Contraindications	AHFS Drug Information, Facts & Comparisons, MICROMEDEX, Clinical Pharmacology [MD Consult]	Manufacturers’ web sites, PDR, PubMed
Cost	Commercial web sites	Commercial web sites
Disease state information	Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach, 7th ed (DiPiro in AccessPharmacy), Clinical Pharmacology [MD Consult], MEDLINEPlus, Stat!Ref, UpToDate	MICROMEDEX
Dosage	AHFS Drug Information, Facts & Comparisons, MICROMEDEX, Clinical Pharmacology [MD Consult]	Manufacturers’ web sites, PDR
Drug administration	AHFS Drug Information, Facts & Comparisons, MICROMEDEX, Clinical Pharmacology [MD Consult]	Manufacturers’ web sites, PDR
Drug interactions (drug-drug, drug-food, drug-lab tests, etc.)	Facts & Comparisons, MICROMEDEX, Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, UpToDate Drug Interactions Program	Clinical Pharmacology [MD Consult], PubMed, IPA
Drugs in pregnancy	ReproRisk (section of Micromedex)	AHFS Drug Information, Facts & Comparisons, Clinical Pharmacology [MD Consult]
Herbal, natural & homepathic products, dietary supplements	Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database	Facts & Comparisons (Review of Natural Products), MICROMEDEX (AltMedex & Martindale’s), Natural Standard Online, BIOSIS, CINAHL, IPA, web sites
Identification (foreign)	MICROMEDEX (Martindale’s), European Medicines Agency (EMEA) , International Drug Information FAQ	EMBASE
Identification (domestic)	Facts & Comparisons, MICROMEDEX	ChemIDPlus, PubMed, Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide
IV compatibility	MICROMEDEX	Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide
Immunization schedules	CDC web site, PrimeAnswers	Clinical Pharmacology [MD Consult], UpToDate,
Manufacturer’s information, i.e. addresses, phone numbers, etc.	Facts & Comparisons, Manufacturers web sites	PDR
Nursing considerations	Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide
Over-the-counter products	Facts & Comparisons, MICROMEDEX,	Web sites
Patient counseling/education	MEDLINEPlus (USPDI), MICROMEDEX, Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database	Facts & Comparisons
Pharmacokinetics	AHFS Drug Information, Facts & Comparisons, MICROMEDEX	Manufacturers’ web sites, PDR, PubMed
Pharmacology	AHFS Drug Information, Facts & Comparisons, Basic & Clinical Pharmacology Textbook, MICROMEDEX, Clinical Pharmacology [MD Consult], Goodman & Gilman's	EMBASE, manufacturers’ web sites, PDR
Regulatory/legal information	FDA web site, Lexis-Nexis Academic	USA.gov
Therapeutic use (off-label uses)	AHFS Drug Information, Facts & Comparisons, MICROMEDEX,	IPA, PubMed
Therapeutic use (approved indications)	AHFS Drug Information, Facts & Comparisons	FDA web site, Manufacturers’ web sites, PDR,
Toxicology/poisoning	MICROMEDEX	PubMed
Current news	Web, Lexis-Nexis Academic, PNI