Chapter 14 – Drugs

Publisher Summary The use of therapeutic agents as a means of preventing or attenuating organ system deficits and/or dysfunction is a global, multibillion-dollar business. Beyond prescription drugs (i.e., those requiring the assistance of a healthcare practitioner for appropriate selection, “safe” use, and monitoring), a vast market for over-the-counter (OTC) products and dietary supplements exists. However, as with any useful product having biologic, pharmacologic, or physiologic activity, whether it is a prescription drug or a dietary supplement, adverse effects are a potential risk. With the advent of the internet, the form and speed with which individuals communicate drug discovery findings or adverse event reporting for post-marketed products have resulted in greater access to key documents, such as the Physicians Desk Reference (PDR), via electronic sources, as well as online journals, databases, and books. This chapter provides resources on prescription drugs, OTC products, and dietary supplements. A selection of books and journal articles is provided, along with a listing of international organizations devoted to the research and regulation of such products. In addition, an assortment of open access and fee-for-service databases, which provide full-text information on drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements, has been compiled.