Drugs Handbook 2003

Abstract

G. Volans & H. Wiseman Palgrave Macmillan 2003 196 pages, price £18.99, ISBN 1403908079 This is a small reference book so we need to know what it contains and who might wish to refer to it. The introduction states that the ‘book is intended for the many health professionals other than clinicians who need information about the mechanisms of action, therapeutic indications and unwanted effects of medicines’. There is a short introduction, which briefly discusses some topics of current interest in relation to drug use, such as cost-effectiveness and drug names. Unfortunately, there is only a paragraph on each of eight topics. Next there is a short section on definitions of drug group names and medical terms. These would be helpful to the layperson who wants to know what is meant by bioavailability, biophosphonates, bradycardia and insecticide. Most of the book is divided into two parts, thoughtfully called Part I and Part II. Part I provides information on most drugs available in the UK presented in alphabetical order using the drug's approved name. Many of the explanatory notes are too short and superficial to be useful to a clinician but perhaps not quite intelligible to the layperson. Thus, for example: (i) Co-beneldopa contains benserazide and levodopa in a fixed ratio; (ii) Enalapril – antihypertensive with actions, uses and adverse effects similar to captopril; (iii) Atenolol – beta adrenoceptor blocking drug with limited cardioselectivity, uses and side-effects as for propranolol. Part II presents drugs in alphabetical order by trade name. This is a useful section for the patient and the health worker who wants to know what they are taking. The book concludes with a short appendix giving slang names for misused (?recreational) drugs – a useful little section. My problem is to decide who are the many health professionals other than clinicians who will refer to this book. The doctor, the nurse and the pharmacist would do better to consult the BNF. However, with a bit of effort this book could be modified to meet the needs of the interested layperson. The vocabulary would have to be simplified and some explanations expanded. Then it may become very popular as ‘What you always wanted to know about the drugs the doctor prescribes and the pharmacist dispenses but you were too afraid to ask’. It could become much appreciated reading material available in the GP's waiting room, the chemist's shop and the outpatient clinic.