When working in health settings, you may need to find out information about various drugs and their interactions, side-effects, dosage or toxicity - these sources will help you. Remember that the generic or brand name may differ for different countries, and always use Australian information first.
Australian Medicines Handbook
Australian. Australian national formulary of independent drug information. Designed to support prescribing and dispensing of drugs currently approved by Therapeutic Goods Administration and on the market in Australia. Includes adverse effects, dosage, precautions, drug interactions and treatment considerations.
Can also refer to the Australian Medicines Handbook Aged Care Drug Choice Companion
eTG complete
Australian. Therapeutic guidelines. Australian evidenced based support for patient management, supplemented by expert opinion. Also optimised for mobile devices - make sure you access via the library website.
MIMS Online
Includes the Australian Prescription Products Guide.
Independent product information on Australian prescription/ over-the-counter drugs and complementary drugs.
National Prescribing Service (NPS)
Australian. Evidence based. Includes patient education.
Evidence based website. Consumer and health professional information.
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for Health Professionals
Australian. List of medicines subsidised by the Australian government.
Consumer and health professional information.
The Poisons Standard: Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons
Australian. Legislative instrument for the classification of poisons and medicines.
Licensing and Resource Information
Therapeutic Goods and Administration (TGA)
Australian.
Government body responsible for approving the use of therapeutic products in Australia.
While Australian sources should always be the first port of call for drug and medicines information, there are many international sources which also provide information on toxicity, use of drugs in pregnancy (reproductive risk), drug compounds, side-effects and indications and contraindications. Remember that generic and brand names may differ, depending on the source that you are using.
Children's bodies react differently to medications when compared with adult bodies. Dosage of drugs is usually different, and in some cases, contraindicated altogether. Here are some resources which specialise in paediatric drug information.
Many Australians take an interest in complementary therapies, and often neglect to inform their health professionals of supplements that they are taking which could potentially interfere with prescription medications.
These sources provide information on herbal and dietary supplements, therapies such as yoga and meditation, and some sources rank the evidence available for the effectiveness of these therapies.