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rxlist - the top 200 prescriptions

http://www.rxlist.com/top200a.htm

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eMedical rating:

This alphabetical list of the top 200 prescriptions is based on the 1999 Prescriptions data in the USA (which is more than 2.8 Billion Prescriptions). Australian audience can use the generic name to search for the drugs. The 13 most prescribed meds in the US in descending order are: Premarin (Wyeth-Ayerst) - Conjugated Estrogens; Synthroid (Knoll) - Levothyroxine; Lipitor (Parke-Davis) - Atorvastatin; Prilosec (Astra) - Omeprazole; Hydrocodone w/APAP (Watson); Albuterol (Warrick); Norvasc (Pfizer) Amlodipine ; Claritin (Schering) - Loratadine ; Trimox (Apothecon) - Amoxicillin; Prozac (Lilly) - Fluoxetine; Zoloft (Pfizer) - Sertraline; Glucophage (B-M Squibb) -- Metformin; and Lanoxin (Glaxo Wellcome) - Digoxin. Another version lists the top 200 by ranking at:http://www.rxlist.com/top200.htm Accompanying each drug name is a detailed description of the chemistry/pharmacology of the drug, its major side effects, contraindications and precautions, and importantly, its various trade names across the world.

Medical Keywords:

Premarin (Wyeth-Ayerst) - Conjugated Estrogens; Synthroid (Knoll) - Levothyroxine; Lipitor (Parke-Davis) - Atorvastatin; Prilosec (Astra) - Omeprazole; Hydrocodone w/APAP (Watson); Albuterol (Warrick); Norvasc (Pfizer) Amlodipine ; Claritin (Schering) - Loratadine ; Trimox (Apothecon) - Amoxicillin; Prozac (Lilly) - Fluoxetine; Zoloft (Pfizer) - Sertraline; Glucophage (B-M Squibb) -- Metformin; and Lanoxin (Glaxo Wellcome) - Digoxin.

pdr nurse drug database

http://www.drugref.com/members/database/index.html

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eMedical rating:

Looks much more complicated - and indeed this site does contain more technical information about medications. We suggest you use the (rather accurate) search engine rather than trying to surf around the huge mountain of info provided here. Alternatively you should use the A-Z drug listing. The amount of information on this site can be a bit overwhelming to lay persons.

Medical Keywords:

Route, dosage, side effects, precautions, contraindications, classification, pregnancy category, . Where possible please list the email address, this will enable us to easily contact the webmaster or site owner.

antimicrobial use guidelines

http://www.medsch.wisc.edu/clinsci/amcg/amcg.html

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eMedical rating:

This is an electronic version of the Antimicrobial Use Guidelines published by the University of Wisconsin Hospital, and is its eighth Edition (1996). The updated 12th edition of the guidelines was said to be available in August 1999, but resource and technical issues are delaying its release. Other than this shortfall in its currency, this site is otherwise very user-friendly and information is not too technical. You can search this guide: alphabetically by drug, by organism, by empiric therapy by site or by antimicrobial treatment of HIV infected patients.

Medical Keywords:

Drugs/medications, HIV, surgical prophylaxis, endocarditis, pediatric, multidrug resistance.

antimicrobial agents, costs, and indications

http://www.intmed.mcw.edu/drug/antibiotics.html

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eMedical rating:

This site is part of the MCW & FMLH Antibiotic Guide. It allows a direct comparison of cost per day of usage (in US dollars however) and accepted indications (ie. infections treatable) for each of the 48 antibiotics listed here. The list is compiled in a tabular format accompanied by brief comments like the side effects or suggestions of monitoring, etc.

Medical Keywords:

Acyclovir (Zovirax®), Amantadine (Symmetrel®), Aminoglycosides*,Amoxicillin, Amphotericin B, Ampicillin, Atovaquone, Azithromycin, Cefazolin, Cefepime, Cefotaxime, Cefotetan, Cefpodoxime, Ceftazidime, Ceftizoxime, Ceftriaxone, Cefuroxime, Cephalexin, Clotrimazole, Ciprofloxacin, Clarithromycin, Clindamycin, Dapsone, Dicloxacillin, Doxycycline, Erythromycin lactobionate, Fluconazole, Foscarnet, Ganciclovir, Imipenem/Cilastatin, Isoniazid, Itraconazole, Ketoconazole, Levofloxacin, Metronidazole, Nafcillin, Nitrofurantoin, Nystatin, Penicillin G, Pentamidine, Piperacillin/Tazobactam, Rifampin, Quinupristin-Dalfopristin , Ticarcillin/clavulanate, Trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole, Valacyclovir, Vancomycin.

drugbase- the www guide to medication

http://www.drugbase.co.za/

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eMedical rating:

The medicine information on this database is compiled from package inserts supplied by pharmaceutical companies. You can submit words related to a medically related condition, drug or supplier (see also 'tips for searching') into the search engine to retrieve the information you desire. However, information here mainly pertains to South Africa only and covers both over-the-counter and prescription drugs.

Medical Keywords:

Product information, brand name, compound name, Route, dosage, side effects, precautions, contraindications, classification, pregnancy category.

antibiotic misuse

http://www.hsc.missouri.edu/~shrp/vhctwww/case899/index.html

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eMedical rating:

This site promotes the cost-effective and safe use of antibiotics. "Antibiotics were once considered "wonder drugs." These drugs have been used for decades to effectively treat a variety of bacterial infections. If left untreated many of these bacterial infections would have been deadly. Unfortunately, because of worldwide overuse and misuse of antibiotics, common bacteria are becoming resistant to treatment with these drugs. This misuse is a major cause for alarm because, without treatment, many of these bacteria have once again become deadly. The good news is that we know how and why bacteria become resistant and there are things that both health care providers and their patients can do to prevent the overuse and misuse of antibiotics."

Medical Keywords:

Correct Use of Antibiotics, safe, overuse, misuse, pressure on doctors, resistant, sensitive.

infomed drug guide

http://www.infomed.org/100drugs/

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eMedical rating:

The Infomed Drug Guide provides information on 100 drugs specifically chosen by a committee to be used in the standard treatment of diseases. The information here actually originated from a book/guide to prescriptions published in Germany and Switzerland for doctors.

Medical Keywords:

Pharmacology, Indications, Adverse Reactions and Interactions, Contraindications and Cautions, Risk Groups, References, Lifetime value, Symptomatic value, Safety, Pharmacokinetics, Dosage.

medicine safety

http://www.cfhinfo.org/medicine/medicineIndex.html

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eMedical rating:

This site deals with the most important issue in medications - how to use it safely and properly. Two must-read sections include: "Ten Guides to Proper Medicine Use"; and "How To Prevent Drug Interactions". Various Tip Sheets are also available.

Medical Keywords:

Drug interactions, medication safety, prescriptions, pharmacists, prevention, symptoms, medications while pregnant.

drug infonet

http://www.druginfonet.com/

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eMedical rating:

Drug InfoNet provides both information and links to areas on the web concerning healthcare and pharmaceutical-related topics. Just type in the drug name, or the name of the relevant medical conditions/symptoms, to find a list of articles. Information here is specifically tailored for consumers and patients, and hence the language used are less technical and easier to understand.

Medical Keywords:

Product information, brand name, compound name, Route, dosage, side effects, precautions, contraindications, classification, pregnancy category.

insomnia consumer treatment guide

http://www.emedicine.com/general/topic107.htm

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eMedical rating:

This site explains in detail the use of certain medications to treat insomnia. More importantly there is also a list of Do's and Don'ts before bedtime to promote natural sleepiness

Medical Keywords:

Unisom, insomnia, sleep, hygeine

reductil: emedical pharmacy online

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eMedical rating:

Australian residents can purchase Reductil online from this page. A doctor's prescription is required

Medical Keywords:

sibutramine, Reductil, Meridia, obesity, overweight, weightloss, weight loss, appetite suppressant