Library of the Health Sciences - Urbana

Drug Information Resources

This is a general guide to pharmacy and pharmacology resources available at the Library of the Health Sciences-Urbana. Database and Web resources are also included. For further assistance please contact Information Services.

Databases | Web Resources | Books

Databases

• Clinical Pharmacology
  Clinical Pharmacology is designed to provide timely, concise drug information and clinical tools for health care professionals (drug monographs include U.S. prescription drugs, herbal and nutritional supplements, over-the-counter products, and new and investigational drugs). The major sections are Drug Information, Drug Products, Patient Education, Clinical Reports, and Tutorial/Help.
  
  
• EMBASE
  Indexes over 6,500 journals and contains more than 9 million records from 1974 to the present. EMBASE provides current and comprehensive information on drugs and pharmacology, and all other aspects of human medicine, biomedical sciences, and related disciplines, concentrating in particular on European sources. The emphasis of the database is on the pharmacological effects of drugs and chemicals. Over 40% of current data is drug-related.
  
  
• MD Consult Drug Information
  Access MD Consult's drug information by clicking on the 'Drugs' tab. In addition to Mosby's Drug Consult, there is information available regarding drug news, newest FDA approvals, safety notices and newly approved indications.

Web Resources

Drug information

• Online Drug Information
  Searches brand and generic names. Produced by U. of Wisconsin
  
  
• FDA
  U. S. Food and Drug Administration.
  
  
• MedlinePlus
  Drug Information from the USP DI: Advice for the Patient.
  
  
• Medical Subject Headings/Medline
  To search for research papers on many aspects of drug and drug therapies, search for the "official" name for a drug in the NCBI's Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) database, then search PubMed with the official name. UIC faculty, staff, and students can click here to search a version of PubMed that includes links to full-text e-journals to which UIC subscribes.
  
  
• Office of National Drug Control Policy
  The principal purpose of ONDCP is to establish policies, priorities, and objectives for the Nation's drug control program. It also provides information on programs, publications and state and local resources.
  
  
• RxList
  Searchable by brand, generic name, imprint code identification or NDC code.

Investigational Drugs

• Drugs@FDA
  Updated weekly, drug approvals are verified and published as they become available. Drug approval information is available from 1998 to present. Contains "most drug products" approved by the FDA since 1939.
  
  
• Patient Advocate Foundation
  Explains the process of drug approval and issues surrounding access to drugs that are still considered investigational or under study.
  
  
• PHRMA
  
  Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. Contains information on pharmaceutical products in the research and testing phase and it can be searched by either the disease, indication or drug.

Pharmacy resources

• medi lexicon
  The world's largest Online database of pharmaceutical and medical abbreviations. Updated daily, it contains over 140,000 acronyms and abbreviations from the fields of medicine, pharmacy, biotechnology, agrochemicals and healthcare.
  
  
• PharmWeb
  This Website includes over 100 moderated discussion forums.
  
  
• PHRMA
  Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. Contains information on pharmaceutical products in the research and testing phase and it can be searched by either the disease, indication or drug.
  
  
• U.S. Pharmacist
  U.S. Pharmacist is a monthly journal dedicated to providing the nation's pharmacists with up-to-date, authoritative, peer-reviewed clinical articles.

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Books

This is not a complete list of all drug-related books available at the Library of the Health Sciences-Urbana. Many more books are located in the Reference section and the book stacks. To find additional books not listed in this section please search the online catalog at UICCAT, or ask for assistance at the Reference desk. The items listed can be located by clicking on the call numbers noted below.

Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs

Annual Publications

• AHFS Drug Information
  QV740 AA1 U152

  Produced by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, this book focuses on the better known drugs used in the United States. It is not a comprehensive reference of all drugs. While the emphasis is on prescription drugs, it includes some OTC drugs and nutritional supplements. It is arranged by therapeutic category with an overview provided for each category. Information provided for each drug includes alternate names, structural formula, a discussion of the pharmacology of the drug, approved and off-label uses, dosage, and precautions, and manufacturers.

• Drug Facts and Comparison
  QV 772 D7923

  Covers 16,000 prescription and 6,000 OTC drugs available in the United States. Also covers some hospital products, like vaccines. The book is divided into sections based on therapeutic category with an index to generic and brand names provided. Entries cover prescribing information, actions, indications, contraindictions, warnings and precautions, drug interactions, adverse effects, patient information, and overdosage information. This book also includes photos of drugs arranged by the color of the drug. Tables compare products by dosage, strength, cost, OTC vs. prescription, package sizes, dosage forms, and quantities of each active ingredient. Sugar free products noted. Adverse effects sections note the likelihood of each side effect occurring and its severity.

• Modell's Essential Drugs in Current Use and New Drugs
  QV740 AA1 D7942

  Provides health professionals with rapid and concise access to pertinent information regarding drugs used in current therapy. With its compact format, Modell's is a portable alternative to the larger drug reference volumes. Includes information pertaining to over 1,000 drugs, cross references to 1,200 trade names, and frequently used combination products.

• PDR-Physicians' Desk Reference
  QV772 P5781

  Covers 4,000 prescription drugs from 250 manufacturers. Each entry is a reproduction of the package insert produced by manufacturer. Drugs organized by manufacturer with separate indexes for manufacturer, drug name, and product category. Color photos of drugs arranged by manufacturer.

• Physicians Desk Reference for Nonprescription Drugs and Dietary Supplements
  QV 772 P5751

  Covers 700 OTC drugs, supplements, and vitamins from 86 manufacturers. Each entry is a reproduction of the package insert produced by manufacturer. Drugs organized by manufacturer with separate indexes for manufacturer, drug name, product category and active ingredient. Color photos of drugs arranged by manufacturer. Also includes FDA telephone directory and a directory for state boards of pharmacy and drug information centers.

• USP DI: Advice for the Patient- Drug Information in Lay Language
  QV740 AA1 U152

  Monographs in alphabetical order by generic or family name. Each monograph includes common brand names, a phonetic spelling of the generic name, description of the drug, points to consider before beginning use, proper usage, precautions and side effects. The book also includes guidelines for proper use of medicines in general, a breast feeding and pregnancy precaution listing, pictograms for patient instruction, glossary and a listing of poison control centers. Common index for generic and brand names. Color pictures arranged by generic drug name.
  Also available online at MedlinePlus and through StatRef by entering the table of contents and clicking on Drug Points System.

• USP DI: Drug Information for the Health Care Provider
  QV740 AA1 U151

  Monographs for each drug arranged in alphabetical order. Monograph content varies but most include indications, pharmacology, precautions, side effects, patient consultation, dosing information, and a bibliography. Records may also include over dosage information, various charts, and other information. The general index covers U.S. and Canadian brand and generic names. The book also includes an indications index, a listing of orphan drugs and biologicals, a cross reference listing for combination drugs, a listing of poison control centers, the VA medication classification system, and color pictures arranged by generic drug name.

Other Publications

• Basic Concepts in Pharmacology: A Student's Survival Guide
  Janet L. Stringer
  Edition: 3rd ed.
  Publisher: McGraw-Hill Medical Pub. Division, c2006
  QV4 S918b 2006

  This resource includes clear explanations of fundamental principles in pharmacology. Numerous summary boxes, illustrations, and tables facilitate understanding of the text. The book is organized so the reader can read the highlights and decide whether or not to read the more detailed description.

• Davis's Drug Guide For Nurses
  Judith Hopfer Deglin, April Hazard Vallerand
  Edition: 9th ed.
  Published: F.A. Davis Co., [2005]
  QV39 D318d 2005

  Davis's Drug Guide for Nurses (published every other year) organizes drug side effects by body system. Davis's Guide provides monographs and vital information necessary to enable care providers to make informed decisions about drug use.

• Essentials of Clinical Psychopharmacology
  Alan F. Schatzberg, Charles B. Nemeroff
  Edition: 2nd ed.
  Publisher: American Psychiatric Pub., c2006
  WM402 E78 2006

  This new edition of Essentials of Clinical Psychopharmacology is a synopsis and update of the most clinically relevant material from The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychopharmacology, Third Edition. The Essentials focuses on the aspects of psychopharmacology directly related to clinical careand. The two main sections are Classes of Psychiatric Treatments and Psychopharmacological Treatment.

• A Primer of Drug Action: a comprehensive guide to the actions, uses, and side effects of psychoactive drugs
  Robert M. Julien
  Edition: 10th ed.
  Published: Worth Publishers, c2005
  QV77.2 J94p

  Covers drugs used in the treatment of psychological illness. Also covers commonly abused substances such as anti-depressants, alcohol, marijuanna, steriods, and hallucinogens. Arranged by drug type. Includes general information on how drugs move through the body, drug-receptor interactions, and drug safety. Many diagrams and charts. General index and glossary.

• The Merck Index
  Maryadele J. O'Neil, Senior
  Edition: 14th ed.
  Published: Merck, 2006
  QV772 M555

  Covers over 10,300 chemicals, drugs, and biologics, including household products, agricultural substances, plant derived compounds, and veterinary medicines. Indexed by generic, brand, and chemical names, Chemical Abstracts Reference Number, and empirical chemical formula. Each entry includes a diagram of the chemical structure of the compound, color, odor, boiling/flash point, and solubility information. Entries also include biological activity and therapeutic category or use. Bibliographic references to isolation, preparation, synthesis, structural studies, patent information, and other information where relevant.

• Smith and Williams' Introduction to the Principles of Drug Design and Action
  H. John Smith ed.
  Edition: 4th ed.
  Publisher: CRC Taylor & Francis, 2006
  QV744 S642 2006

  Smith and Williams' 4th edition provides an introduction to the principles of rational drug design. Real examples are used where possible. The 4th edition provides a comprehensive update of the previous edition and also adds information regarding new advances in molecular techniques, biotechnologicalp applications and computer-aided design have been added.

Herbal medicine and supplements

• Medicinal Plants of the World
  QV766 R824m

  Organized by the Latin name for each plant. Also lists common name and the country the plant is associated with. Chapters on nomenclature (naming rules) and descriptive terminology specific to plants may be useful to those unfamiliar with these areas. Some color and black and white photos. Each entry lists active chemicals in the plant and phramacological activities. Traditional medicinal uses in several countries are listed in the entry. The book includes a cross reference from common to Latin name, a glossary, and an extensive bibliography.

• PDR for Herbal Medicines
  WB925 P348

  Common index for Latin and common names and an index for symptoms. List of possible herb/drug interactions given. 384 color photos of medicinal plants/fungi labeled with common and Latin name. Also includes a glossary and state-by state listing of poison control centers.

• Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines-Complete German Commission E Monographs
  WB925 T398

  In Germany, herbal medicines are considered drugs. Commission E of the German Institute and Medical Products researches the safety and effecacy of herbal medicines. This book is a translated version of monographs produced by Commission E. Material in this book was originally intended to be package insert information for herbs sold in Germany. Each monograph includes common names, part of plant used, uses, contraindictions, side effects, drug interactions, dosage, mode of administration, and actions. Monographs are arranged in alphabetical order by the most common English common name. Indexes for indications, contraindictions, side effects, pharmacological actions, drug interactions, chemical constituents, English common name, Latin name and pharmacopeial name. Includes a glossary.

Industrial information

Information on the production and dosage forms of drugs

• The British Pharmacopoeia: Complete Edition (vol. 1-3)
  QV738 FA1 B863

  This set is often used in industrial settings for standard dosage form and bulk drug standards. Vol. 1 included drug structure information, Vol. II covers formulated preperations, including blood products, radiotherapeuticals, and surgical materials. Vol. III covers products used in veterinary medicine.

• The United States pharmacopeia
QV738 AA1 U575

The United States pharmacopeia is cited as the defining standard for qualities such as strength, quality, and purity by many state and national laws and codes. Also includes general chapters on tests, assays, and reagents. Information on dietary supplements and veterinary drugs is also included.

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