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Medicines are perhaps the greatest weapons of the mankind to fight diseases and death, but are double edged weapons. They help recovering from illness and restoring health if used properly; but can harm if not used appropriately, even causing life threatening situations including death. Inappropriate medicine use is unnecessary wastage of resources. Medicines have helped increasing life expectancy but in some situations they have harmed too. The antibiotics are becoming increasingly ineffective due resistance developed by random use. The book provides guidance on using medicines appropriately in a simple and easily understandable language.

The book intends to empower the readers with skill and knowledge to make informed decisions about how to use medicines (including when not to use them) and get the maximum benefit. It helps to understand the importance of medicines inindividual’s health. The second edition of the book is updated with the new information on medicines as available. Many new themes are introduced with value addition like cartoons.

Contents: I. General Topics: 1. You as Consumer of Medicine Use (Consumers’ Rights). 2. You must know about your Medicine. 3. Names of Medicines (Medicine -What is in a Name?). 4. Types of Medicines (Dosage Forms). 5. Branded vs Generic Medicines. 6. Buying Medicines. 7. Medicines’ Price. 8. Expiry Date of Medicines. 9. Storing Medicines at Home. 10. Laws and Regulations Governing Medicines. 11. Rational use of Medicines. 12. How do Medicines Work. 13. Fate of Medicines in the Body (How does Body Handle Medicines?). 14. Safety of Medicines (How do you Protect Yourself?. 15. Medicines can be Toxic Too. 16. Adherence to Medications. 17. Missing a Dose (If you Miss a Dose ----). 18. Prescription and Non-prescription Medicines. 19. Medicines for Children. 20. Medicines for Elderly Persons. 21. Medicines during Pregnancy (Are Medicines during Pregnancy Safe?). 22. Medicines during Breast Feeding (Avoid Medicines during Breast Feedin. 23. Development of Medicines. 24. Clinical Trials. 25. Be Informed before Participating in Clinical Trials. 26. New Drugs: Pros and Cons. 27. Drink and Medicines. 28. Food and Medicines (Does Food affect Medicine?). 29. Home Medicines Kit. 30. Medicines during Travel (For Safe Travel, Pack Your Medicines Too!). 31. Combination Medicines (Fixed Dose Combination Medicines – How useful they are!). 32. Advertisement on Medicines (Say No to AD Treatment). 33. Internet Medicines (e-Medicines). 34. Medicine Information Sources (Where to Get Information). 35. Patenting of Medicine. 36. Patent Medicine-Battle Finally Won!. 37. Use, Misuse and Abuse of Medicines. 38. Use and Abuse of Medicines in Sports. 39. Splitting of Tablets. 40. Use of Injections. 41. Jan Aushadhi for Affordable Quality Medicines. 42. Off Label Use of Medicines (Pill Poppers, Wake Up!). 43. Herbal Medicines. II. Medicine Administration: 44. Orally Taking Medicines. 45. Ophthalmic Medicines. 46. Ear Products. 47. Nasal Products. 48. Metered Dose Inhalers. 49. Rectally Administered Products. 50. Vaginally Administered Products. III. Individual Medicines: 51. Pain and Fever Relieving Medicines. 52. Gastric Acid Relieving Medicines. 53. Antibiotics. 54. Anti-Malaria Medicines. 55. Anti-Tuberculosis Medicines. 56. Anti-Asthma Medicines. 57. Constipation Treating Medicines. 58. Contraceptives. 59. Cold and Cough Medicines. 60. Anti-diabetic Medicines. 61. Anti-diarrhoeal Medicines. 62. Medicines for Filariasis. 63. Medicines for Anaemia. 64. Vaccines. 65. Vitamins. 66. Anti-Emetic Medicines (Medicines for Vomiting). 67. Cosmetics Use. 68. Anti-High Blood Pressure Medicines. 69. Medicine for Lice Treatment. 70. Cholesterol Lowering Medicines. 71. Probiotics. 72. Others.