Physician's Desk Reference 1998 (Hardcover)

by Medical Economics (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
With its 3,223 pages of prescription drugs, the updated Physicians' Desk Reference is the most comprehensive, widely used drug reference available. It is a requisite for hospitals, libraries, doctors, and medical students, and a boon to medical buffs and amateurs. There's a "Manufacturers' Index," a "Brand and Generic Name Index," a "Product Category Index," and the priceless "Product Identification Guide" (30 glossy pages filled with thousands of color pictures). There are also lists of drug information centers and poison control centers, but the heart of the book is the "Product Information" section, which details the pharmacology, usage, warnings, and precautions for more than 2,200 pharmaceuticals. The result is a weighty, irreplaceable medical reference. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
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: 14.1 x 9.3 x 3.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,417,936 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PDR, I can't practice without it., December 15, 2000

By	Dr. Trish Gnann (Palm Springs, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: PDR: Physicians' Desk Reference, 2001 (Bookstore Version) (Hardcover)

I just started my cardiology practice and I'm seeing patients who are on drugs that I don't know. I open my PDR several times a day. PDR, like my colleagues say, is a bible and you can't practice medicine without it. I recommend to my patients and nonmedical friends to keep a copy in their homes for information on prescription drugs.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helps you, not the drug companies, to pick the best medicine, May 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Physicians' Desk Reference 2000 (Physicians' Desk Reference (Pdr)) (Hardcover)

What I really love about this book is that it lets me look at all of the available drugs out there for a particular health problem. I can research the benefits and side-effects of drugs before I go to the doctor. So that when I get to the doctor's office we can discuss why he/she is picking one drug over another. (This way I also know that the drug was chosen because it is the best drug for me and not because the drug company's sales representative gives the best "perks".)

Also, when you get a prescription filled at a pharmacy they usually give you a little one-page list of how to take it and some of the most likely possible side effects. This book will give you details on all of the side-effects, not just the most common. (After all a side-effect that happens in only 1% of the population might not be important - unless you are in that 1%.)

The price of this book may be a little daunting, but don't let that stop you from purchasing it. Consider it making an investment in your health.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have!, February 18, 2000

By	Tamara C. Michel (Bowie, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Physicians' Desk Reference 2000 (Physicians' Desk Reference (Pdr)) (Hardcover)

This book is a "must have" for anyone who wants to know what is going into their body. If you want to make an informed decision about what medicines you will or won't take, it is definitely worth the price as an addition to your home resource library.