Everywoman's Guide to Prescription and Non-Prescription Drugs - Softcover

Allison, Kathleen Cahill

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0553069063 ISBN 13: 9780553069068

Publisher: Broadway, 1997

Synopsis

Because men and women have different medical concerns, take different drugs, and often have different reactions to drugs, this book will be welcomed by women of all ages looking for drug information tailored to their needs. Comprehensive, practical, and accessible, EveryWoman's Guide to Prescription and Nonprescription Drugs provides vital information on:
Drugs for treating heart disease, osteoporosis, reproductive disorders, and other conditions
All birth-control options
The use of medications during pregnancy, childbirth, and breast-feeding
Drugs that treat depression, eating disorders, and other emotional problems
The pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy

Included are drug profiles representing more than 1,000 generic and brand names that highlight how to use drugs safely and effectively, possible common side effects and interactions, and important precautions. The book also includes a full-color pill guide.

About this title

Review

Dedicated to women only, this is a full-service drug book covering the load of drugs (for cardiovascular disorders, for pain, infections, and cancer, for anxiety, depression, and insomnia) such as anyone might need, much as one hopes not to. But on top of this is the slant that makes Kathleen Cahill Allison's guide indispensable for women: information on which drugs interact poorly with pregnancy, breast-feeding, or hormone-replacement therapy, which are affected by menstrual hormones, and which drugs reduce bone density. All that information plus a clearly designed and illustrated drug identification guide puts this guide on top.

From Booklist

Differences in body-fat levels, digestive enzymes, and hormone cycles affect the way women metabolize drugs. Despite these differences, until 1993, the FDA excluded women from drug trials because of possible harm to their fetuses if they became pregnant. As a result, women often received drug doses that were too high. This drug book for lay readers concentrates on medications used to treat the most common medical problems affecting women.

The book is divided into three sections discussing drugs used for specific purposes and also includes a section containing drug profiles and a color drug-identification guide. The first section includes an explanation of the FDA drug-approval process, how to take medication safely and properly, drug interactions, and drugs for a healthier lifestyle (aids for quitting smoking and losing weight, laxatives, and sunscreens). Part two covers drugs used by women: contraceptives, hormone-replacement therapy, treatments for gynecological disorders, and medications used during pregnancy, childbirth, and lactation. Part three deals with specific medical conditions: cardiovascular diseases, pain, infections, cancer, etc. The discussion of each condition includes an introduction explaining the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options followed by the types of drugs used with their generic and brand-names. The drug-profile section lists drugs alphabetically by type (i.e., analgesics, beta-blockers) and within these by generic name only. Drug-profile information comes from the United States Pharmacopeia and includes indications for use, precautions, proper use, and side effects. The book does not include herbal or homeopathic remedies unless there is scientific evidence to support their use. A subject and a drug index complete the work. The drug index includes both generic and brand-names.

EveryWoman's Guide to Prescription and Nonprescription Drugs complements general sources such as The Complete Drug Reference (Consumer Reports, annual) very well. Since it specifically addresses concerns important to women, such as drug interactions with oral contraceptives and hormone-replacement therapy, reduction of bone density by some medications, and the effects of the menstrual cycle on drug absorption and metabolism, it is a welcome addition for medical-reference and consumer-health collections.

About this edition

• Publisher: Broadway
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0553069063
• ISBN 13: 9780553069068
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 784