Prescription Drug Information, Medicine, Medication

Categories

• Antibiotics - Information about Use (5)
• Drug Costs and Utilization Statistics (1)
• More Consumer Guides to Specific Drugs (1)
• Prevent Medication Errors and Report Adverse Events (4)

Primary Listings

SafeMedication.com Editor's Pick

SafeMedication.com site gives ability to search information on specific drugs, and check drug interactions. Site by ASHP (formerly the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists).

Drug-Specific Warning and Safety Alert Index (FDA)

Check the FDA index to see if there are any warnings or safety alerts on your specific drug medications. Check the patient information sheets on a large number of common drugs – including prescription drugs and over-the-counter. See if there are any Food & Drug Administration (FDA) safety alerts or warnings on the drugs you may be taking

FDA – A to Z Index on Drugs

A wide scope of links on FDA-approved drugs. Food and Drug Administration website also has information on Food and Medical Devices.

Food and Drug Administration Home Page

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates drugs, dietary supplements, medical devices, vaccines, and more. Example of news: vaccine approvals or emergency use authorizations (EUAs), drug shortages, new drug approvals, medical device recalls, disposing unused medicines, opioid medications. See  section on Radiation-Emitting products to learn about x-rays, CT scans and MRIs. Special section on COVID-19 has extensive resources.

Generic Equivalents: FDA’s Electronic Orange Book (interactive)

The FDA Electronic Orange Book helps consumers check to see if there is a generic (therapeutic equivalent) available for a specific prescription drug. It is easy to use. Put in the brand name drug and find the active ingredient that a generic drug would be called. Then talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Constantly updated

Guide to Home Safety for Seniors

The Safe Living Guide: A Guide to Home Safety for Seniors is an easy to read and practical guide to making one’s home safe from injury. Topics include preventing falls in the home (a major problem in the US and Canada), medication safety, and indoor/outdoor checklists, such as examining how you reach your mailbox. Very thoughtful guide by the Public Health Agency of Canada, Division of Aging and Seniors, revised 2015.

Medicare Prescription Drug Plans – Learn how Part D works (Medicare.gov)

Learn how Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D) work, from medicare.gov. Medicare’s help line for selecting a prescription drug plan (Medicare Part D) is 1-800-633-4227 (1-800-MEDICARE), or click on how to get prescription drug coverage.

Medicines (MedlinePlus)

Medicine topics at MedlinePlus include drug interactions, medicine and alcohol, side effects, generic drugs, biosimilars, off-label uses, herbal supplements, how to dispose of unused medications, medicine safety, National Take-Back Day and pharmacogenomics (pharmacogenetics).

Over-the-Counter Medicines (MedlinePlus)

Learn about Over-the-Counter (OTC) medicines at MedlinePlus. Read about pain relievers, antihistamines, decongestants, cough medicines, cold medicines, risks in using OTC drugs and more. Find out what adults and children should know about using OTC drugs. Generic drugs are also explained in this MedlinePlus website. MedlinePlus has no ads.

Prescription Drug Abuse and Medicine Misuse – Kids

Prescription drug abuse information relevant to teens and kids. Also known as a more modern term “Medicine Misuse.” Practical advice for parents who want to prevent problems of kids – teenagers and children – misusing prescription drugs. A growing problem addressed by the nonprofit organization Partnership to End Addiction, drugfree.org. July 2022.

Other Helpful Listings

Atypical Antipsychotic Medications: Use in Adults

CMS identified issues with using atypical antipsychotic medications for adults. This fact sheet summarizes FDA-approved product labels for using atypical antipsychotic drugs in adults. Such medications include aripiprazole (Abilify), olanzapine (Zyprexa), risperidone (Risperdal), clozapine and more. Fact sheet also links to treatment guidelines for these meds in adults. Published October 2015

Check Drug-Drug Interactions

Drug-drug interactions. Check your medications interactions with other prescription drugs you may be taking. Drugs may also interact with your over the counter (OTC) meds, dietary supplements and alcohol or certain foods. From drugs.com.

Guides on Health Problems involving Illegal Activity

Set of guides on health problems involving illegal activity. Seventy four (74) guides from the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing at ASU are designed to reduce the harm caused by specific crime problems. Includes guides related to gangs, bullying, bomb threats, drug dealing, underage drinking, people with mental illness, child pornography, prostitution, pharmacy robberies, prescription fraud, acquaintance rape, exploitation of trafficked women, drive by shootings, domestic violence and more. Guides are referred to as problem-specific guides. From Arizona Statue University (ASU).

Pharmaceutical Companies – Code of Ethics (pdf)

Code of Ethics effective January 2022, for pharmaceutical and biotech companies. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) updated its voluntary Code on Interactions with Health Professionals, in August 2021. When significantly revised in 2009, the Code eliminated free mugs and pens from drug companies and drug reps, and limited meals to some degree. The 2022 Code does not address drug pricing. 30 pp.