Guide to Drugs in Canada

Guide to Drugs in Canada – Fourth Edition
Published at DK Canada

About the book

This Canadian bestseller has been revised and updated to include the newest medications and the latest drug therapy information. Jargon-free  guide and indispensable for all Canadians wanting to take charge of their own health, this invaluable reference make it easy to keep abreast of over 2000 medications currently available in this country - including new drugs for stroke, arthritis, high blood pressure and  diabetes. This essential home reference includes reliable, authoritative and easy-to-understand guidelines for the safest and most efficient  dosage.
+ Includes a clear examination of over 80 principle classes of drugs and hundreds of graphs and charts
+ Drug Finder Index features an alphabetical listing of over 2000 medications, vitamins and minerals

My Thoughts

I always wanted to have this book at home for reference.  It is always good to have something where you can find information on medication you or your loved ones might take.  About a year and a half ago I experience an allergic reaction to a medication that I had been taking for numerous years to battle bronchitis which I am prone to catch numerous times during the winter time.  It was then that I had the privilege to have a trip in an ambulance in direction to the ER.  Though an allergic reaction is apparently rare with this medication, we are now staying away from it.  I recently had the opportunity to receive the Guide to Drugs in Canada in order to blog about.   My first search was about the medication which had caused my reaction in order to learn more about it. 

The table of content will give you a better understanding of what you can find in this book.

1. Understanding and using drugs: what are drugs?, how drugs are classified, how drugs work, methods of administration, drug treatment in special risk groups, drug tolerance and dependence, managing your drug treatment.
2. Drug Finder Index
3. Major Drug Groups: brain and nervous system, respiratory system, heart and circulation, gastrointestinal tract, muscles, bones, and joints, allergy, infections and infestations, hormones and endocrine system, nutrition, malignant and immune disease, reproductive and urinary tracts, eyes and ears, skin.
4. A-Z of Drugs: a-z of medical drugs, a-z of vitamins, minerals, and supplements, drugs of abuse, alternative medicine, drugs in sport, medicines and travel.
5. Glossary and Index
6. Drug Poisoning Emergency Guide

For each medication, you will find general information, a quick reference which include the drug group, overdose danger rating, dependence rating, prescription needed, and available as generic as well as special precautions, information for users, possible adverse effects, interactions, and prolonged use.  With clear graphics and tables, you can obtain quick information on a particular medication that has been prescribed to you.  

This book is definitively a great reference to have for your household but it is also a book that I would highly recommend for any medical practitioners (doctors, nurses, dentists and so on) to own as well.  

Guide to Drugs in Canada is available at your favourite bookstore, even on amazon.ca.

Disclaimer: Thanks to DK Canada for allowing me to promote these books. I was not monetarily compensated for this post . Please note that the post was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.