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Drug information: Databases

This page displays linked lists of databases and collections which contain drug information, or related guidelines, that could be of interest to anaesthetists, pain specialists and medical professionals.

Australian drug databases

AusDI (Australian Drug Information) contains over 80,000 pages of Australian medicines information, a product identifier tool, and interactions and safety modules.

Mobile DevicesFree registration required to access via mobile devices.


The Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH Online via ClinicalKey Australia) is an independent, evidence-based national drug reference. It offers concise, reliable and comprehensive information with easy-to-find comparative drug data allowing users to compare drugs and make informed prescribing choices.


Therapeutic Guidelines is a leading source of accurate, independent and practical treatment advice for a wide range of clinical conditions. It includes explicit instructions for therapy, assisting practitioners in making decisions to ensure their patients receive optimum treatment.


NPS Medicinewise provides independent, not-for-profit, evidence-based and consumer-centred information about medicines, and a range of other health topics from an Australian perspective.


The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is the regulatory body for therapeutic goods in Australia. This link goes to the Health Professionals Information and Education section of the website, but there are a range of different databases to search and other drug resources available from the home page of the TGA website.


Australian Drug Information Network (ADIN) is Australia’s leading alcohol and drug search directory. It provides reliable information on alcohol, other drugs and mental health, with links to treatment services, research, statistics, guidelines, journals, policy, campaigns, events, curriculum, professional development opportunities and more.


The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) is a premier research institution in Sydney, Australia and is recognised internationally as a Research Centre of Excellence.

The overall mission of NDARC is to conduct and disseminate high quality research and related activities that increases the effectiveness of treatment and other intervention responses to alcohol and other drug related harm.


International drug databases

Drug Information Portal is maintained by the National Library of Medicine (NLM).


Explore the extensive Drugs Monographs available via AccessMedicine.This comprehensive online medical resource also provides instant access to videos, self-assessment, and leading medical textbooks that facilitate decision-making at the point-of-care.


AccessAnesthesiology is a comprehensive online resource covering the entire spectrum of anaesthesiology from the basics to specialty-specific content, and there is a comprehensive list of Drug monographs.


ClinicalKey Guidelines: Full-text practice guidelines from journals, links to full-text guidelines from professional and government agencies (including Australian and New Zealand), and summaries from the US National Guideline Clearinghouse.


The LactMed® database, updated monthly, contains information on drugs and other chemicals to which breastfeeding mothers may be exposed. It includes information on the levels of such substances in breast milk and infant blood, and the possible adverse effects in the nursing infant. Suggested therapeutic alternatives to those drugs are provided, where appropriate.


The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)[US] is responsible for protecting public health in the US by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices. This link directs users to the drugs database and information on the FDA website. This is a product of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), and this body ensures that safe and effective drugs are available to improve the health of the people in the United States.

MedlinePlus is the National Institutes of Health's Web site for patients and their families and friends.

The Drugs, Herbs and Supplements database enables you to learn about your prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines. Information including side effects, dosage, special precautions, and more. You can also browse dietary supplements and herbal remedies to learn about their effectiveness, usual dosage, and drug interactions.


Drugs.com is the most popular, comprehensive and up-to-date source of drug information online. Providing free, peer-reviewed, accurate and independent data on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines & natural products.

Ovid drug search builder

This new, powerful search building tool allows users to quickly build and launch sophisticated literature searches using the Ovid platform. Search for information about drugs, with on screen prompts for refining searches to get the results you need in less time.

Step 1: Select the Ovid MEDLINE database

Access Ovid MEDLINE
(users will be required to authenticate using their ANZCA ID and password

This database consists of journal references from over 5,600 journals, and is frequently updated (weekly or daily)

Step 2: Select the Ovid Search Builder

Step 3: Build your search

This search input screen as the first step in your literature search, which provides you with a fully developed search strategy (combining the terms for you!).

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