Mid-life and older Americans look first to AARP as a trusted source of the vital information that will improve their lives. Month to month and year to year, the association's 36 million members read and rely upon its magazines, its newspapers, its book-publishing division, and its website (aarp.org). When AARP says something, they know you can take that information to the bank. That's why book buyers will turn to this lavish manual for answers to their questions about life-saving-and life-enhancing-medications. The AARP Guide to Pills has been assembled with the same degree of care and concern for accuracy and ease of use that distinguishes every product that bears the AARP brand. That rigorous quality control will likewise distinguish the pill guide from the competition.
It's the most outstanding and up-to-date guide to pills and medications ever published. The only one of its kind in full color, The AARP Guide to Pills addresses the needs and concerns of 50+ adults in incredible depth. To simplify the process of finding information about a certain drug, generic drugs are presented in a logical A-to-Z organization, with a comprehensive index that includes cross-references to related brand-name drugs. All information has been vetted by a board of content specialists, including an expert from the University of Southern California's School of Gerontology, considered the finest in the United States.
Each entry also features a detailed, color-correct image of the pill or capsule for identification purposes, along with details on its generic name, brand name, and manufacturer; a listing of what a health-care provider should know about the condition of anyone taking the medication; advice on what to do if you miss a dose; warnings on interactions with other drugs; and notes on potential side effects to look out for.
In their foreword and introduction, Harvard-trained doctors Jerry Avorn and Bill Thomas provide clear and comprehensive guidance on the wise use of prescription medications; how to effectively manage your drug costs; how to prepare for and derive maximum benefit from each doctor's visit; how to talk to your physician and pharmacist; how to avoid "polypharmacy," or overmedication; and why the appearance of generic pills can change from one prescription refill to the next.
This is a must-have book for anyone 50+ and younger.
Why THIS pill book?
*Each entry includes a color-correct image of the medication-unlike most books that include the images in a separate section
*Over 1,200 color images of pills-more than any other book on the market-make identifying medications easy and minimize the risk of error...whether brand name or generic
*A bulleted list tells you what your health-care professional needs to know before you start taking a specific drug
*Important details about how and when to take a drug for maximum effectiveness
*A separate section explains exactly what to do if you miss a dose
*Content updated at press time to guarantee the most current information available
*Concise and consistent format helps readers find what they need easily
*Explains how the older body metabolizes drugs differently
In this fast-changing health-care environment, consumers need to become more knowledgeable and discerning in their use of medical procedures and medications. Living in a country that allows direct-to-consumer advertising of medications complicates the situation for patients, physicians, and pharmacists. The AARP has produced an inexpensive, high-quality drug-reference handbook that is valuable for all potential medicine users, not just older persons. Content is based on the widely consulted
Clinical Pharmacology database [http://www.clinicalpharmacology.com], produced by Gold Standard.
The entries are written in accessible language and guide readers in what they should know, tell, ask, and understand. The drugs are arranged in alphabetical order by generic name. Each entry is accompanied by one or two photographs showing such things as the pill size, shape, color, markings, or packaging for common brands. Information is clearly laid out in the form of eight questions covering what each drug is for; what to tell health-care providers before taking the drug; how to take the drug; what to do if a dose is missed; how the drug interacts with other prescription, nonprescription, and illicit drugs as well as foods, beverages, and dietary supplements; what to watch for when taking the drug; what side effects are possible; and how the drug should be stored. The advice on side effects is straightforward and concrete. The layout and descriptions are far more understandable and useful for the layperson than the professionally oriented PDR with its scientific vocabulary and instructions for doctors. The "How to Use This Book" section is an important feature, carefully explaining how entries are formatted and what information they provide. Two indexes, "Disease and Disorder Index" and "Index of Generic and Brand-Name Drugs," round out the book.
This volume is highly recommended and should be available in every public library branch in all communities across the country. It is well written and has current information (as of 2005), including a caution on Vioxx and instructions on the return of unused pills. Because drug knowledge is forever changing, the AARP and Gold Standard would do well to create new editions or updates on a regular basis. Linda Loos Scarth
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