The AARP Guide to Pills: Essential Information on More Than 1,200 Prescription & Nonprescription Medications, Including Generics, Side Effects & Drug Interactions (Paperback)

~ AARP (Author), MaryAnne Hochadel PharmD BCPS (Editor), Jerry Avorn M.D. (Preface), Bill Thomas M.D. (Preface), Katharine Greider (Preface)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In this fast-changing health-care environment, consumers need to become more knowledgeable and discerning in their use of medical procedures and medications. Living in a country that allows direct-to-consumer advertising of medications complicates the situation for patients, physicians, and pharmacists. The AARP has produced an inexpensive, high-quality drug-reference handbook that is valuable for all potential medicine users, not just older persons. Content is based on the widely consulted Clinical Pharmacology database [http://www.clinicalpharmacology.com], produced by Gold Standard.

The entries are written in accessible language and guide readers in what they should know, tell, ask, and understand. The drugs are arranged in alphabetical order by generic name. Each entry is accompanied by one or two photographs showing such things as the pill size, shape, color, markings, or packaging for common brands. Information is clearly laid out in the form of eight questions covering what each drug is for; what to tell health-care providers before taking the drug; how to take the drug; what to do if a dose is missed; how the drug interacts with other prescription, nonprescription, and illicit drugs as well as foods, beverages, and dietary supplements; what to watch for when taking the drug; what side effects are possible; and how the drug should be stored. The advice on side effects is straightforward and concrete. The layout and descriptions are far more understandable and useful for the layperson than the professionally oriented PDR with its scientific vocabulary and instructions for doctors. The "How to Use This Book" section is an important feature, carefully explaining how entries are formatted and what information they provide. Two indexes, "Disease and Disorder Index" and "Index of Generic and Brand-Name Drugs," round out the book.

This volume is highly recommended and should be available in every public library branch in all communities across the country. It is well written and has current information (as of 2005), including a caution on Vioxx and instructions on the return of unused pills. Because drug knowledge is forever changing, the AARP and Gold Standard would do well to create new editions or updates on a regular basis. Linda Loos Scarth
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

“The go-to drug directory.” –Library Journal

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Product Details

• Paperback: 1024 pages
• Publisher: Sterling; 1 edition (January 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402744463
• ISBN-13: 978-1402744464
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #531,225 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excelent Investment, February 24, 2006

By	H. BLAKE "snowheb" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The AARP Guide to Pills: Essential Information on More Than 1,200 Prescription & Nonprescription Medications, Including Generics (Hardcover)

I am extremely satisfied with my book. It is informative and with the description, etc. of each drug, there is a color photo. It also indicates what medications can cause interactions with your drug. Extremely good investment. I also purchased one for my mother who looked up all of her present medications. :-)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "IMPRESSIVE" to say the least !, August 24, 2006

By	i-Palikar "i-Palikar" (ALEXANDRIA, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The AARP Guide to Pills: Essential Information on More Than 1,200 Prescription & Nonprescription Medications, Including Generics (Hardcover)

"IMPRESSIVE" is an strong understatement. I was able to find information in a comprehensive format that I could only find in bit & peices from other multiple sources - not even from Drug Digest OnLine. And BTW - the best price is from Amazon - BUY IT !

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AARP Guide to Pills, March 20, 2006

By	Hurricane "October" (Anywhere,USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The AARP Guide to Pills: Essential Information on More Than 1,200 Prescription & Nonprescription Medications, Including Generics (Hardcover)

This is a book everyone should have. Very good information is in book.