Medicines and drugs
 

As some one who's been on quite a lot of medication for many years I have had book which I call my bible. It's a book published b the British Medical Association called New Guide to Medicines and Drugs it gives you chapter and verse on all prescription drugs and tells you about side effects and interaction with other drugs. The one I have was printed in 1997 so I decided to check if there is an updated version, there is, it was reprinted in 2005 and I've ordered it from Amazon for less than £10 including postage. For anybody who wants to keep tabs on heir medication this book is first class

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

I have stopped taking prescription drugs, but when I was prescribed any, I always checked their effects - a wise move - many can seriously damage your health ;)
Drug Information

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

When I first got this book Margaret, the Internet was not that widely used, I wasn't on line in those days, but the reason I've bought the updated version is that if I'm ill I don't feel like coming on line and checking things that way, but by having this book I have the information right to hand

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

Thanks Margaret, I've Just had a look at the link, its very good and informative, its now in my favourites:mosher:

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

when my mum was alive she was a nurse, she used to swear by a medical book called MIMS, all about tablets, whats in them, what they are for and the side effects and all that, if you have a nice doctor or nurse at your practice, they will sometimes give you older used versions of them if you ask nicely (thats if they still use them)

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

MIMS is the professionals guide flashy, there's a copy in every doctors surgery and hospital ward, its the doctors gospel on drugs, but mere peasants like myself can't get there fingers on them, they are like gold dust, and anyway it's far to technical for a numpty like me, after all I send Pms to the wrong people:rolleyes::D

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

didnt i just say all that in a round about way Jay??? lol :D;)

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

The book is now named B.N.F. If you would like me to look up any drugs please let me know.:)

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

BNF and MIMS are 2 separate publications, or at least they are where I work as we regularly get new editions of both.:confused:

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

You can buy the BNF from Amazon

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

Yes, I agree they're seperate, Mims isn't quite as technical as BNF, dont use Mims in hospital anymore

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

Didn't know that grego, mind you I haven't spent as much time in dock as I used to, so I've lost touch. having said that this book that I use is ideal for a layman like myself, the book is easy to understand and is set out in a layman's terms, gives you the info without all the technical jargon, and its cheep too

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

Well errr ah yes, suppose so flashy, but you'll understand that yesterday wasn't one of my better days really:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::D LMAO at myself all day:D

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

When I get prescribed a drug I just Google it.Seems to give me all the info. I need.:)

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

I find that it is better to websearch than to have a book, because webknowledge is continally updated as research happens.

For example - my doc prescribed an inhaler with capsules of Spiriva which I used for 6 weeks until I found a research study which showed that it increased the risk of heart disease and stroke by 40%

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

I know that these days you get information on most drugs in the packaging, listing side effects and such...but some drugs are just supplied in small bottles... anyway the side effects listed seem to be the same for all drugs..I.E can cause drowsiness, headaches....always found it amusing that some side effects listed for Anadin are: may cause headaches! :confused:

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

The directions on the pack will have been decided when the drug was first marketed and if further side effects are found, and if they are reported, there will be a time delay before they appear on packaging if ever:rolleyes:

You will notice that I have an overwhelming distrust of the motives of pharmacutical companies and the way they 'bribe' GPs with handouts

The web has detailed independant studies on the effects of pharmacutical drugs - I prefer to believe those.

I consider Pharma companies are worse than 2nd hand car salesmen in many respects;)

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

The Mims also concentrates more on branded goods too I think Grego, and limited information ?

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

The book that I use kate, (I've just got my new one this morning, its very much updated) gives you the generic name and the brand names too

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

Just a little wonder, has some one who uses a lot of prescription drugs its surprising that, over the last few years how the packaging has stared to become ridiculous, if say an item on my list is 200 tabs, I get 10 little packets with 20 in all together with two blister packs and a printed sheet of does and don'ts daft really

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

Don't crab it John.....your still with us.
Without prescription drugs I would be dead now.
My doctor told me the drugs would not make me feel better, they just keep you alive.
That can't be bad, I don't give a monkeys what it says on the packet.
If you read about the side effects no doubt you will be on the next sick parade complaining of these symptoms.
I like you are reliant on what the doctors tell us. In my case to good effect. :)

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

gotta say the only drugs i ever looked up on the net,were what the quack prescribed me 3 weeks ago, when i read the bumf in the packet it said- Do not take - if yer a man over 40, amongst a few other things, cos yer at a high risk of Ischaemic heart disease, well i know i'm "Peter Pan" but that rattled me.:D any way after looking i thought sod it they work.:rolleyes:

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

There a little tale about obeying doctors orders Roy. Back in 1990 when I was in the throws of setting p the Hyndburn branch of The National Asthma Campaign (now Asthma UK) I went on Radio Lancashire the day before the first meeting. The presenter Joe (can't remember his last name) was asking me about what treatment was available and were the there any good hospital doctors, to which I told him about my consultant Professor Ormerod (he was just doctor then) he just said is he any good, I said as far as I'm concerned he walks on water. A few days later I received a letter from the said doctor thanking me for my unsolicited praise, he went on to say that on the same evening on arriving home from work his wife had 5 loaves and three fishes on the table saying that she and the village were waiting for their tea:D

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

Jaysay - that did amuse me :)
My experience with docs is just the opposite.
I have distrust based on experience.
My medical problems now have been caused by prescription medications in the past.
In some ways I am fortunate that the NHS considers my condition CFS as incurable, or I might have been given some 'wonder drug' which would cause more ill health later.
As it is I had no alternative but to use 'alternative medicine' - nutrition therapy -
which, incidentally, is curing me:D

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

I'm glad that alternative medicine is working for you Margaret, but I'm afraid that it ain't that much good to be because I think what I've got wrong with me, putting it into medical terms, I think they put me in the category of, now what's the term:confused::confused: um ah, oh yes that's it, completely knackered:D:D

Re: Medicines and drugs
 

I just take the tablets they've told me to ... dont seem to be working but still take em. Wonder if i stopped taking em whether i'd have more or less?