COMPLETE GUIDE TO PRESCRIPTION & NONPRESCRIPTION DRUGS By H. WINTER GRIFFITH, M.D. Revised and Updated by Stephen W. Moore, M.D. Technical Consultants: Kevin Boesen, Pharm.D.
Cindy Boesen, Pharm.D. Over 6000 Brand Names Over 1000 Generic Names ABOUT THE AUTHOR H. Winter Griffith, M.D., authored 25 medical books, including the Complete Guide to Symptoms, Illness & Surgery and Complete Guide to Sports Injuries , each published by The Body Press/Perigee Books. Dr. Griffith received his medical degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
After 20 years in private practice, he established and was the first director of a basic medical science program at Florida State University. He then became an associate professor of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Until his death in 1993, Dr. Griffith lived in Tucson, Arizona. Editor Stephen Moore, M.D. Family physician, Tucson, Arizona Technical Consultants Kevin Boesen, Pharm.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona Cindy Boesen, Pharm.D. Clinical Instructor, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona Technical Editor Jo A. Griffith Drugs and You What is in This Book The purpose of this book is to give you information about the most widely used drugs (prescription and nonprescription). The information is derived from many authoritative sources and represents the consensus of many experts. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and completeness. However, because drug information is constantly changing, you should always talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns. The information applies to generic drugs in both the United States and Canada.
Generic names do not vary in these countries, but brand names do. Each year, new drug charts are added and existing charts are updated when appropriate. For the most part, drugs that are injected by a medical professional, used mainly in a hospital (or medical clinic) or have rare usage are not included. A drug cannot "cure." It aids the body''s natural defenses to promote recovery. Likewise, a manufacturer or doctor cannot guarantee a drug will help every person. The complexity of the human body, individual responses in different people and in the same person under different circumstances, past and present health, age and gender impact how well a drug works. All effective drugs produce desirable changes in the body, but can also cause undesirable adverse reactions or side effects.
Before you decide whether to take a drug, you or your doctor must decide, "Will the benefits outweigh the risks?" In the United States, it is the responsibility of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure that drugs are safe and effective. For more information, you may contact the FDA at 1-888-INFO-FDA or visit the website: www.fda.gov. Your Role Learn the generic names and brand names of all your medicines. For example, acetaminophen is the generic name for the brand Tylenol. Write them down to help you remember. If a drug is a combination, learn the names of its generic ingredients.
Filling a Prescription Once a prescription is written you may purchase the medication from various sources. Pharmacies are usually located in a drug or grocery store. You may need to consider your options: Does your health insurance limit where prescriptions can be filled? Is the location convenient? Does the pharmacy maintain patient records and are the employees helpful and willing to answer drug related questions? Insurance companies or an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) may specify certain pharmacies. Some insurance companies have chosen a mail-order pharmacy. Normally a prescription is sent to the mail-order pharmacy or phoned in by the physician. Mail order is best used for maintenance (long-term medications). Short-term medications such as antibiotics should be purchased at a local pharmacy. Once a pharmacy has been chosen it is best to stay with that one so an accurate drug history can be maintained.
The pharmacist can more easily check for drug interactions that may be potentially harmful to the patient or decrease the efficacy of one or more of the medications. You can phone the pharmacy for a refill. Provide the prescription number, name of medication, and name of the patient. Taking A Drug Read the instructions provided with the drug and follow all directions for taking or using it. Never take medicine in the dark! Recheck the label before each use. You could be taking the wrong drug! Tell your doctor about any unexpected new symptoms you have while taking or using a drug. You may need to change drugs or have a dose adjustment. Storage Keep all medicines out of children''s reach and in childproof containers.
Store drugs in a cool, dry place, such as a kitchen cabinet or bedroom. Avoid medicine cabinets in bathrooms. They get too moist and warm at times. Keep medicine in its original container, tightly closed. Don''t remove the label! If directions call for refrigeration, keep the medicine cool, but don''t freeze it. Discarding Don''t save leftover medicine to use later. Discard it on or before the expiration date shown on the container. Dispose safely to protect children and pets.
See here. Alertness Many of the medicines used to treat disorders may alter your alertness. If you drive, work around machinery, or must avoid sedation, discuss the problem with your doctor; usually there are ways (e.g., the time of day you take the medicine) to manage the problem. Alcohol & Medications Alcohol and drugs of abuse defeat the purpose of many medications. For example, alcohol causes depression; if you drink and are depressed, antidepressants will not relieve the depression. If you have a problem with drinking or drugs, discuss it with your doctor.
There are ways to help. Learn About Drugs Study the information in this book''s charts regarding your medications. Read each chart completely. Because of space limitations, most information that fits more than one category appears only once. Any time you are prescribed a new medication, read the information on the chart for that drug, then take the time to review the charts on other medications you already take. Read any instruction sheets or printed warnings provided by your doctor or pharmacist. Drug Advertising Ads can cause confusion. Be sure and get sufficient information about any drug you think may help you.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist. Be Safe! Tell Your Doctor Some suggestions for wise drug use apply to all drugs. Always give your doctor, dentist, or healthcare provider complete information about the drugs and supplements you take, including your medical history, your medical plans and your progress while under medication. Medical History Tell the important facts of your medical history including illness and previous experience with drugs. Include allergic or adverse reactions you have had to any medicine or other substance in the past. Describe the allergic symptoms you have, such as hay fever, asthma, eye watering and itching, throat irritation and reactions to food. People who have allergies to common substances are more likely to develop drug allergies. List all drugs you take.
Don''t forget vitamin and mineral supplements; skin, rectal or vaginal medicines; eyedrops and eardrops; antacids; antihistamines; cold and cough remedies; inhalants and nasal sprays; aspirin, aspirin combinations or other pain relievers; motion sickness remedies; weight-loss aids; salt and sugar substitutes; caffeine; oral contraceptives; sleeping pills; laxatives; "tonics" or herbal preparations. Future Medical Plans Discuss plans for elective surgery (including dental surgery), pregnancy and breastfeeding. These conditions may require discontinuing or modifying the dosages of medicines you may be taking. Questions Don''t hesitate to ask questions about a drug. Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to provide helpful information if they are familiar with you and your medical history. Guide to Drug Charts The drug information in this book is organized in condensed, easy-to-read charts. Each drug is described in a two-page format, as shown in the sample chart below and opposite. Charts are arranged alphabetically by drug generic names, such as ACETAMINOPHEN or by drug class name, such as ANTIHISTAMINES.
A generic name is the official chemical name for a drug. A brand name is a drug manufacturer''s registered trademark for a generic drug. Brand names listed on the charts include those from the United States and Canada. A generic drug may have one, a few, or many brand names. To find information about a generic drug, look it up in the index. To learn about a brand name, check the index, where each brand name is followed by the name(s) of its generic ingredients and their chart page number(s). The chart design is the same for every drug. When you are familiar with the chart, you can quickly find information you want to know about a drug.
On the next few pages, each of the numbered chart sections below is explained. This information will guide you in reading and understanding the charts that begin here. 1-Generic or Class Name Each drug chart is titled by generic name or by the name of the drug class, such as DIGITA.