Physician's Desk Reference 1998 [Hardcover]

Medical Economics (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1997

New medicines, new drug interaction data, the most recent side effects findings, and certain drugs now removed from the market make it critical for medical practitioners to keep up-to-date with the latest prescription drug information. Not only are today's prescription drugs vital to the patient's well-being, but their effectiveness and safety can impact the integrity and security of all healthcare professionals. Topics covered in this edition include: details of current prescription drugs; how different drugs interact; findings on side effects caused by a prescribed drug; recommended dosages; clinical pharmacology; paediatric use; contraindications; and FDA use-in-pregnancy ratings. It includes information on over 4000 prescription drugs and data on more than 250 drug manufacturers. Virtually all of the newly-approved drugs are covered in this edition: Rezulin, a new treatment option for diabetes; Posicor, the first T-channel blocker for hypertension and angina; Aricept, a new drug for Alzheimer's disease; Coreg, the first new approach to heart failure treatment; Lipitor and Baycol for hypercholesterolemia; and Flomax for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Many familiar drugs already on the market have had their prescribing information substantially amended with new warnings, adverse reactions and indications, as well as new uses.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 3000 pages
• Publisher: Thomson P D R; 52nd edition (November 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563632527
• ISBN-13: 978-1563632525
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 9 x 3.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,083,959 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PDR '98 - This book could save your life!, April 27, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Lexington Park, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Physician's Desk Reference 1998 (Hardcover)

I heard it on the news, and I read it in a weekly news magazine, so I guess it's true. A study published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association reports that adverse reactions to prescription drugs may rank between the 4th and 6th leading cause of death in the U. S., for a total of over 100,000 deaths a year. Perhaps familiarity with the annual Physicians' Desk Reference, or PDR, can help lower this alarming death toll. If you're a medical practicioner, you are well aware that the PDR has been universally recognized for over fifty years as the premier authority on prescription medicines and their effects, and you probably have the latest edition right at your fingertips. The publisher guarantees PDR's information to be comprehensive, authoritative (FDA approved information), up-to-date, and easy to use. However, non-medical professionals take heed - as with any comprehensive reference tool, ease of use comes with learning how the information is arranged, and then spending time actually using the various sections. Be prepared to familiarize yourself with the Manufacturers' Index, the Brand and Generic Name Index, the Product Category Index, the Product Identification Guide, and the Product Information section. This last is the main section of the PDR and contains entries for over 2,200 pharmaceuticals. Oh, yes, these are alphabetical by manufacturer. I must admit my favorite section is the Product Id Guide, again by manufacturer, with its full-color, actual- size photos of tablets and capsules, plus pictures of other dosage forms and packages. The information is all here. You know that drugs are powerful substances, that your response to any one drug may be unpredictable, and that knowledge is power. If lack of shelf space, continued currency, and PDR's $74.95 price tag is holding you back, I sympathize. Remember there is an excellent chance that your local public library has the latest PDR in its medical reference section, plus a trained reference librarian to help you find just the pages you need!

4.0 out of 5 stars physician's desk reference, January 16, 2000

By 

Dr.Domenico (Italy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Physician's Desk Reference 1998 (Hardcover)

this book isabsolutely necessary to every physicia

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent reference book, May 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Physician's Desk Reference 1998 (Hardcover)

An excellent but expensive reference book... But I did find one at a second hand bookstore for $15. What a deal!! No Paramedic student can afford not to have a copy.