Pick a PRESCRIPTION drug of interest (could be something you or someone you care about has taken or may take, could be one of the types of drugs discussed this semester (stimulants, depressants, pain-relievers, drugs for psychological problems, steroids, etc.). You will need to find a specific brand name for the drug (even if you have used a generic form) because the generic companies don't provide detailed drug info on their products (remember, they did not do the drug research - the brand name companies did). You can find brand names (and the other kinds of information listed in the PDR assignment) in the Physician's Desk Reference. Although the PDR is not an easy reference to read (you may find you need to refer to a medical dictionary) it is THE professional reference, best reflecting the drug research that the company had to do to get FDA approval. When you really need to know about a drug this is the place to go. I have one PDR on reserve in the basement of the library and the very most recent PDR is kept at the Reference Librarian's Desk. Also look up your drug in another general but detailed reference on drugs geared more for consumer. Many of these consumer books are organized by generic name so be sure you know both the brand & generic name for your medication. I have quite a few of these reference books in my office but they are a few years old and won't contain the newest drugs on the market. The library also has a couple on their reference shelves. You may also use a drug reference website as long as they provide extensive information on your drug. Please xerox the first page from your drug's coverage in the PDR and xerox or print out a sample (need not be the whole thing if it is lengthy) of your drug's info in your alternative source, include the reference information or URL, and attach to your assignment.
 

To give you some sort of context, imagine this scenario: All medically or pharmaceutically trained personnel have been killed off by a nasty virus that swept through all healthcare facilities. Pharmacies still contain medications but there are no experts anymore - just the drug reference books. You have been put in charge of the medication you have selected. You must become "the expert" on that particular medicine by reading the reference books. You must be able to visually recognize your medicine in its different dosages (in some pharmacies the pills have been dumped out of their containers). You will responsible for who can have that medication and who cannot (someone else will be responsible for diagnosing their condition in the first place) . You must tell those you dispense the medicine to about the important side effects, precautions, warnings etc., what dose to take & how often. and so forth. You REALLY don't want any of your "patients" to have serious or dangerous side effects or die on you. Some of your patients, in fact, are people you love! So be reasonably careful and include this info in your report.. For instance you will want to read your references carefully for any information on who should not use your medicine or who must use caution if you decide that they can have the medicine. (e.g. what if they are pregnant? an infant or child? a substance abuser? elderly? taking other meds? operating heavy equipment or driving? nursing a baby? have a diagnosed health condition like heart trouble or kidney problems? etc.)
 
Looking Up Prescription Drugs (75 pts)
 

Use the Physician's Desk Reference as well as a more consumer-oriented general drug reference to find the following information. Do not try to answer on this sheet (you will need more space). Numbers below are approximate point ranges (some drugs have more uses, effects, side effects, interactions etc. than others). Please attach a copy of the first page of the PDR section (2 pts) on your drug, as well as a page or two from your second source on your drug (with the reference for that source) to the assignment (2 pts)

1. Brand name(2)

2. Generic name(s) of the active ingredient(s)(2):

3. Manufacturer(2):

4. Drug's identifying appearance in its various dosages (see photo guide for color, shape, AND markings that allow identification of all brand name drugs by sight)(look in the photo index of PDR)(2-6)

5. Action (What kind of drug is it? What is said about how it produces its effects?)(2-4)

6. What is it used for ("indications") (6):

7. Who shouldn't use it or who needs to be particularly cautious about use? (16)

(This info may be under headings like Contraindications, warnings, precautions)

Statements, if any, concerning use of this med by:

A. Pregnant women?

B. Nursing women?

C. Children?

D. Elderly?

E. Those prone to substance abuse?

F. Those driving/operating machinery?

G. Other medication use that would preclude the use of this drug?

H. Health conditions of particular concern

8.a) What side effects are LIKELY to occur (common)(5)?

b) What more serious adverse effects are possible(5)?

9. Drug interactions (4-10)

10. What happens if your take too much (Overdosage)*(4)

*some drugs won't say much about this because it is so uncommon

11. Dosage and administration(6) 

12. Other brands available (if any) for same generic drug (2-6)?

(Look up your generic name in the pink PDR index. Are other brands listed that include this ingredient?)

13. About how many other drugs available for same use/purpose ______ (6)
( Look in  the blue PDR category  index  for a category your drug fits in (e.g. analgesic, anticonvulsant) see what other drugs are in that category. The first 2 blue pages is a list of all the categories expanded upon in the rest of the blue pages)

Give a few examples of other drugs used for the same purpose :

14. I also looked up this drug in the consumer reference (provide reference or URL:):

(Attach a copy of the information your drug from this source to your assignment. If it is lengthy just a couple pages will do) (4)

15. What additional information did it provide (if any)(4)?

16. Which reference did you prefer? Why? (4)