A new website has been launched which is designed to be a one-stop shop for consumers and professionals seeking accurate, unbiased information about drugs and supplements.
On the website, AskAboutMeds.com, a medication expert provides objective, researched answers to specific questions about prescription medications, over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements, with tablet and capsule identification information also available.
"Consumers may want to use AskAboutMeds.com to get a second opinion on information they have obtained elsewhere, such as in a leaflet provided with their prescription, or from a website, advertisement, news report, friend or healthcare provider," said Melanie Cupp, the medication expert responding to the questions.
"A person might also want to have his or her medication list reviewed for potential problems, or inquire about less costly but effective alternatives to the medications currently taken. Attorneys will find the site an inexpensive source for answers to litigation-related medication or supplement questions," she added.
Cupp has over seven years' experience as a drug information specialist and has provided answers to thousands of questions from healthcare professionals. In addition, she has served as a consultant on malpractice cases and as a drug information resource for other consultants and expert witnesses.
She has published two books on the toxicology of dietary supplements, and several articles in medical, pharmacy and nursing journals on drug interactions, adverse effects, dietary supplements and other topics.
"It is difficult for healthcare providers to keep up to dateon new drugs, new studies and the countless herbal and dietary supplements being touted. Although the Internet has been instrumental in disseminating information, much of it is erroneous or designed to sell products.
"In addition, drug therapy is complicated, and no single reference, not even the PDR [Physicians' Desk Reference], contains all the information about a drug.
"Consumers may need help finding reputable information and interpreting complex or conflicting information, but because of time constraints or lack of access to complete and current information, healthcare providers may not be able to meet patients' information needs," Cupp said.