Unbiased Medication Info
Know Your Medications
Today, many who are affected by mental illnesses are on at least 1 medication. However, many are on multiple medications for a multitude of symptoms. As a loved one or the person taking these medications, educating oneself about the pros and cons, interactions and side effects is a must. It is important that the one taking the medications talk to their doctors about what they are taking.
Below are a listing of websites that can help you get a better grasp of what the medications you and/or your loved one is taking.
ATTENTION: These websites are informational only. Please, always consult with your doctor first and foremost when it comes to any medication.
www.safemedication.com
The consumer site of the American Society of Health System Pharmacists provides easy-to-read information on more than 700 drugs, based on data from its pharmacist members and other experts. The site allows users to search by medication name for information on side effects, what to do if you miss a dose and any dietary considerations.
www.ismp.org
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices focuses on medication safety and publishes regular reports on common medication errors, such as drugs whose names might cause confusion, it also has an online consumer newsletter with tips on how to read medication leaflets and what to ask the pharmacist.
www.drugdigest.org
This site has a Drug Interactions Database detailing potentially harmful combinations. A Compare Drugs feature can help you decide whether one brand-name drug might be more beneficial than another.
www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo
The Food and Drug Administration's Consumer Drug Information page has general information about prescription drugs approved since January 1998, including some not yet on the market. Each drug fact sheet has information based on the approved package insert.
www.webmd.com
Search its Drug and Herb section for information about drugs and herbs by name. The site includes answers on the most important information to know about a drug, who shouldn't take it, what happens in case of overdose and what drugs might interact with it.
www.usp.org
The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) is the official public standards-setting authority for all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, and other healthcare products manufactured and sold in the United States.
www.mypillbox.org
This site lets users create a pill-taking schedule and search drugs by use, such as "dilates blood vessels" or "controls blood sugar." It also has pictures of common prescription drugs to help identify pills.
www.rxlist.com
This site has continually updated information on the most-prescribed drugs, including side effects, drug interactions, dosage and precautions.
www.drugs.com
The site offers a drug-interaction checker, pill identifier, and search function for information on 24,000 drugs that includes some photos. It also has the latest drug news and articles, including reports on FDA actions.
