Drug Information
Information from the National Library of Medicine about prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines, including side effects, dosage, special precautions, and more. You can search or browse by generic or brand name.
Medication Guides (MGs) are a type of labeling for patients and caregivers that are required by the FDA when the medicine has serious side effects (relative to benefits) in which patients should be made aware of, or when following directions for the use of the medicine is important for the medicine’s effectiveness.
This resource allows you to view labeling submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by companies for products including prescription and nonprescription drugs and dietary supplements. (Labeling includes prescribing information, patient labeling, and carton and container labeling).
The FDA offers resources and tools so you can make safer, more informed decisions when purchasing prescription medicine from an online pharmacy.
Nutritional and Dietary Supplements
An essential aspect of controlling your own healthcare is learning how to protect yourself against harmful products and potentially dangerous interactions between supplements and medications.
If you opt to take supplements of any kind, exercise your power of control by:
- getting your information from reliable, non-commercial sources
- staying up-to-date on announcements regarding harmful products
- avoiding harmful interactions by fully informing your healthcare provider about all the supplements you take
Start with these resources to help you make well-informed decisions about using supplements:
This excellent overview from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health covers what we know and don’t know about the safety and effectiveness of supplements. Sign up to get dietary supplement updates by e-mail!
Questions about the use, purchase, and regulation of supplements are answered by the NIH’s Office of Dietary Supplements. Included are links to independent organizations that perform quality tests to certify that products contain what their labels say they do, although this does not ensure the safety of any product.
Use these resources to understand safety issues with supplements (unlike drugs, are considered safe until proven unsafe):
Supplements can legally be placed on the market without undergoing the safety testing that is required for prescription drugs. Read this important summary from the FDA on what you need to know to help protect yourself.
This overview from the American Cancer Society aims to help you learn more about dietary supplements so you can make a more informed decision about using them safely.
Don’t rely on advertising claims when considering supplements! Use these resources to find unbiased information:
MedlinePlus: Herbs and Supplement Information
Browse or search this extensive list of dietary supplements and herbal remedies to learn about their effectiveness, usual dosage, and potential interactions.
Compiled by the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, these fact sheets are available in versions for both consumers (in English and Spanish) and health professionals.
From the NIH, this resource provides the full label information for dietary supplement products marketed in the U.S. Search by products, ingredients, or manufacturers. Learn more about the ingredients listed within the Supplement Facts label by clicking on ingredient names.
From Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: this database offers guidance for the public and healthcare professionals on using common herbs and other dietary supplements. Covers: traditional and proven uses; potential benefits; possible adverse effects; and interactions with other herbs or medicines.
Use this app from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health while you are shopping for herbal products to find information on the science and safety of popular herbs.
Check these resources to stay up-to-date on newly-reported issues:
Check here for notices from the FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for updates on recalls and tainted products.
Use the Filter’s drop down menu to select ‘Dietary Supplements.
From Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: this database offers guidance for the public and healthcare professionals on using common herbs and other dietary supplements. Covers: traditional and proven uses; potential benefits; possible adverse effects; and interactions with other herbs or medicines.
Use these resources to inform yourself about the potential for interactions-but remember that healthcare providers have access to professional databases with more accurate and extensive information:
This resource from the American Academy of Family Physicians provides a good summary of how your medications, vitamins, and supplements can all interact, and a list of simple questions to ask your doctor that will help ensure your safety.
This resource from Drugs.com includes supplements as well as prescription and non-prescription drugs; while it is a commercial site and does display ads, it provides documentation for the sources of all information provided.
Review this fact sheet for helpful information on how to talk to your healthcare professional about supplements:
Supplement Info
The information provided by Scotch Plains Public Library and its employees does not imply medical recommendation, endorsement or approval. Information from these sources are intended for use as general information. All consumer health information should be reviewed with your health care professional for clarification about how this information may or may not apply to your unique clinical situation or overall health.