Drugs & Supplements
Several resources in STARTING POINTS cover drugs and supplements, most notably MedlinePlus. The sites below offer either a special focus or tools that are of value.
Reminder: Inform your healthcare provider of any other medications or supplements you take. Interactions may reduce effectiveness and safety.
- Find detailed medication information, including dosage, side effects, and drug interactions.
- Provides a pill identifier feature essential when a pill becomes separated from its prescription bottle.
- Provides a number of features to compare and evaluate medications: drug interaction checker, comparison tool (enter drug name in search box to see what it is typically compared to), and ratings and reviews.
- Expands on drug content in MedlinePlus (with more FAQs and reviews); includes ads.
ConsumerLab (have your library card number on hand)
- Provides a comprehensive review of the available science on vitamins and minerals, herbal supplements, nutritional powders/bars/drinks and healthy foods.
- Conducts tests for purity and evaluates cost relative to quality.
- This is a paid subscription resource available to WLS card holders.
- Tip: Get on their mailing list for news updates.