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Medicines information
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Accidental overdose of medicine
Accidental overdose of medicine is dangerous, but preventable. Here's how to avoid the risk of overdose, and the medicines that need special care.
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Antibiotics
Antibiotics revolutionised medicine in the 1940s because they treated infections caused by bacteria. Learn how antibiotics work and how to take them.
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Antidepressants
Antidepressants are medicines that treat depression and other mental health conditions. Read about the types and how to take them safely.
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Antihistamines
Antihistamine medications help ease allergy symptoms. Read more about how they're used to treat conditions like hay fever and asthma.
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Anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs)
Anti-inflammatory medicines can be used to relieve pain, reduce redness and swelling (inflammation), or treat a fever.
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Asthma medicines
Asthma relievers include inhalers or 'puffers' (e.g. ventolin and salbutamol), are medications that help to manage and control asthma symptoms.
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Blood pressure medication
Blood pressure medicines ('antihypertensives'), such as ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and diuretics help manage high blood pressure.
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Buying medicines online
Buying medicines online may seem to have advantages, but there are lots of risks too. Find out more about buying medicines online here.
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Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is medicine that aims to stop or slow down the growth of cancer cells. Find out how 'chemo' treatment works and its side effects.
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Cold and flu medicines
Learn about over-the-counter medicines that might help relieve cold and flu symptoms and when antiviral medicine may be helpful.
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Diabetes medication
There are many types of diabetes medicine including insulin, metformin and sulphonylureas. There's no one-size-fits-all medicine for diabetes.
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Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for arthritis
DMARDs are medicines used to treat autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Learn how these medicines work and about the side effects.
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Diuretic medicines
Find out what diuretic medicine is used for, how it works, the most common diuretics and any side effects associated with taking it.
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General anaesthetic
A general anaesthetic is used to make you unconscious so you will not feel pain, move or be aware during surgery.
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Generic vs. brand-name medicines
Every medicine has a brand name and a generic name. Learn about the differences and what to consider when deciding which is best for you.
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HIV and AIDS medication
HIV medications (called 'antiretrovirals') fight to stop the virus multiplying while helping to protect the immune system from damage caused by HIV.
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Lithium
Lithium is a medicine used to treat bipolar disorder and some other mental illnesses. Find out about how lithium works and what you need to know.
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Local anaesthetic
A local anaesthetic temporarily numbs a part of your body. Here's what you should know about 'having a local', and questions to ask your doctor.
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Medicines and alcohol
You need to be careful if you drink alcohol when taking some medicines. This includes over-the-counter medicines and herbal remedies. Learn more here.
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Medicines and breastfeeding
While most medicines are safe to take while breastfeeding, some can affect your baby. Learn out more about medicines and breastfeeding here.
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Medicines during pregnancy
Learn more about taking medicines during pregnancy, which includes over-the-counter medicine as well as herbal supplements and vitamins.
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Medicines and driving
Some medicines can affect the skills you need to drive safely. Read here to find out how to reduce your risks and stay safe on the road.
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Medicines for babies and children
Get practical and reliable advice on giving your sick infant or child medicine, including help with measuring dosage and managing side effects.
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Medicines safety for older people
Older people are at increased risk of medicine-related problems. Learn how to take your medicines safely and what to ask your doctor.
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Nicotine dependence medicines
Learn how over the counter and prescription medicines, along with professional quit smoking services, can help you to quit smoking.
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Opioid medicines
Opioids are a group of medicines prescribed by doctors to treat pain. Learn about side effects, withdrawal symptoms and what to do in an overdose.
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Out-of-date medicines
All medicines have an expiry date displayed on their packaging. Learn about why medicines expire, and how to dispose of old medicines safely.
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Over-the-counter medicines
There are some medicines you don't need a prescription for. These are called over-the-counter (OTC) medicines.
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Pain-relief medicines
Pain relief medicines include over-the-counter and prescription medicines. Learn about their side effects as well as when and when not to use them.
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Paracetamol
You can take paracetamol for mild to moderate pain. Find out when to take paracetamol, its side effects and what to do if you take too much.
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Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
Using the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), Australians can access a wide range of prescription medicines without paying full price.
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Reading CMIs
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) leaflets provide information about the medicine you are taking. Find out where to get a CMI and how to use them.
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Reporting a problem with a medicine
You should tell your doctor or health professional about any problems with your medicine. It’s also helpful to report the problem to the TGA.
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Scheduling of medicines and poisons
The scheduling of medicines is a national classification system that controls how medicines and poisons are made availiable to the public.
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Side effects of medicines including vaccines
Side effects are any unwanted effects of a medicine. Learn more about different types of medicine side effects and what to do if you have them.
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Statins
Statins are medicines used to lower cholesterol and are recommended for people at risk of cardiovascular disease. Here's how statins work.
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Sunscreen
Learn about the different types of sunscreen and how it works to protect you from the damaging effects of the sun.