Official Drug Information Online

There are many sources of prescription drug information online. Although the least biased information is probably going to be found outside of the official drug websites, those official sites often offer the most extensive detail about a drug. We recommend that you *start* at general drug information websites, review the official corporate sites, and then branch off to forums and other general information specific to your needs. Often you'll be able to find others who have used the medications or have knowledge of them, though use caution and generally you'll want to carefully follow the advice of your own physician regarding any prescription medications.

Prescription Report is a good source but there are many others including:

www.WebMD.com
Medicine Net
Drugs.com
Rxlist.com

Prescription Report Resources

In addition to the listings at the blog, Prescription Report features drug information and drug company information and links as follows:

Drug information

Drug company websites

Health sites

News

Drug Research

Thanks to the internet you can now research prescription medications quickly, easily, and thoroughly. Although this site is a good resource for the few drugs we have covered so far, you'll find Google and some other drug websites more helpful for the many drugs we have not yet discussed.

Typing the name of the drug at Google search often brings up categories you can click for additional information from more specific searches such as "side effects".

Spend some time online doing the research before you take a medication. Although your doctor's advice is critical, note that you'll have more time than your doctor to study the specifics relating to your health condition. Although the internet is not a reliable source in all cases and it is often misleading about "quack" remedies, you will find that much of the prescription drug related information is reliable and accurate. Online drug info is often based on FDA standardized reporting for the Pharm industry.

In summary - do the research on your drugs, and ask your doctor and pharmacist if you have questions or concerns.

Abilify for schizophrenia and Bipolar disorder

Abilify is the brand name for Aripiprazole, an "atypical antipsychotic" drug.

Antipsychotics like Abilify are used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia such as hearing voices, seeing things, or sensing things that are not there. Other symptoms are mistaken beliefs or unusual suspiciousness.

Abilify may also be used in treatment of mixed or manic episodes in adults who have a condition called Bipolar I disorder, a mental illness than causes extreme mood swings.

Risks - note this list is not complete.
Increased chance of death in elderly persons.
Abilify is not approved for dementia.

A life-threatening nervous system problem called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).

Call your healthcare professional right away if you experience these symptoms.

A movement problem called tardive dyskinesia (TD). Call your healthcare professional right away if you get muscle movements that cannot be stopped.

High blood sugar and diabetes. Patients with diabetes or who have a higher chance for diabetes should have their blood sugar checked often.

Strokes have happened in older patients treated for mental illness from dementia. Abilify is not approved for this use.

Other serious side effects with Abilify may include low blood pressure seen as dizziness, increased heart beat and possibly fainting; seizures; increased body temperature; and difficulty swallowing.
The most common side effects may include headache, weakness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, anxiety, problems sleeping, lightheadedness (dizziness), sleepiness, restlessness and rash.

Before you start taking Abilify, tell your healthcare professional if you have or had heart problems, seizures, diabetes, trying to get pregnant or pregnancy, breast-feeding, or drink alcohol.

Your doctor may adjust your dose if you take the following:
blood pressure medicines
ketoconazole
quinidine
carbamazepine
fluoxetine or paroxetine
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Abilify.

Abilify may impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills. You should be careful in operating machinery, including automobiles, until you know how Abilify affects you.
It is important to avoid overheating and dehydration while taking Abilify. Abilify may make it harder to lower your body temperature.

If you have questions call for free Drug Information, 1-888-INFO-FDA (automated) or 301-827-4570
Or email the FDA here: Druginfo@fda.hhs.gov

Here is the Abilify Corporate Website

"Best Buy" Drugs listed by Consumer Reports

Trusted consumer magazine Consumer Reports has an excellent list of "best buy" drugs with other drug related information. Click HERE for the Consumer Reports list which includes reports listed via health condition as well as reports on hundreds of drugs including the following drugs (these link to the Consumer Reports pages).

Ambien
Atenolol
Fluoxetine
Glipizide
Lexapro
Lipitor

Lisinopril
Metformin
Metoprolol
Nexium
Prilosec OTC
Simvastatin

Chantix, a drug to help people stop smoking cigarettes

Chantix is a prescription drug used to help people stop smoking.
Chantix stimulates low level dopamine release in the brain -a pharmacologically similar approach to other nicotine "replacement" therapies.

Common Questions
Chantix
Info
Prescription Info
Ask Your Doctor
Chantix the Drug
For Doctors

A critical view of Chantix

Orencia

Orencia is an arthritis medication that uses proteins to treat joint pain. It's a new way to treat moderate to severe arthritis, so it is very important to discuss this option with your doctor if you are on other meds and want to try something different.

Orencia info at from Drugs.com

Orencia Company website

Orencia Company patient info (pdf)

Hydrocodone commonly called "Vicodin"

Hydrocodone is one of the most prescribed painkillers and is often commonly prescribed after dental surgury such as a tooth extraction.

Hydrocodone was invented in Germany in 1920 and is a powerful opioid derived from codeine and thebaine. It is taken orally and can act as a pain reliever and as a cough medicine. As a narcotic Hydrocodone binds to pain receptors in the brain and spinal cord. This powerful narcotic effect makes this a potentially addictive medication.

The drug is often combined with other, less powerful drugs like ibuprofin to help limit the dosage while providing powerful analgesic relief to the patient.

Hydrocodone is marketed using many brand names including: Anexsia, Dicodid, Hycodan, Hydromet, Hycomine, Lorcet, Lortab, Norco, Novahistex, Hydroco, Tussionex, Vicoprofen, Xodol. Bekadid, Calmodid, Codinovo, Duodin, Kolikodol,Orthoxycol, Mercodinone, Synkonin, Norgan,Hydrokon, Vicodin.

Drugs.com info

Wikipedia on Hydrocodone

Cymbalta

Cymbalta is an anti-depressant medication manufactured by Eli Lily. Cymbalta's generic drug name is Duloxetine.

More about Cymbalta

Company website for Cymbalta

Prescription Report

Welcome to Prescription Report, your lively source for news about the latest medications. The idea is to provide you with news and views about drugs you've heard advertised on TV and elsewhere but have no idea about.

Obviously, your doctor and your own good judgement should be your key decision making factors for any prescription medications, but hopefully we can send you to websites that will help make that decision safer, easier, and better informed.