The Top 100 Drugs
The Top 100 Drugs: Clinical Pharmacology and Practical Prescribing is a pocket-size
The drugs are described in alphabetical order, with each drug or drug class on a double page. Each is subsequently explained in terms of clinical pharmacology and practical prescribing. Intravenous fluids are dealt with later in the book, followed by a self-assessment.
The book received a review in
Development and publication
The Top 100 Drugs is a
The first edition was based on the 100 most frequently prescribed drugs by the NHS in 2006–2009, first described in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology in 2011 by Emma Baker, who identified the drugs with how they appear in the British National Formulary (BNF).[5][6] The book is authored by Baker and three other clinical pharmacologists from St George's Hospital; Andrew Hitchings, Dagan Lonsdale and Daniel Burrage,[4] and takes into account suggestions from junior doctors.[4][7] The list was revised in 2015, using data collected from a larger dataset to check that no significant changes had occurred, and formed the basis of the second edition, in which 11 drugs were replaced and the number of self-assessment questions doubled.[4][5][6] A third edition was released in 2022.[8]
Content
The book has 325 pages and being 180 mm (7.1 in) in height and 100 mm (3.9 in) width, it can fit in a pocket.[7][9] There is a contents page, followed by a list of abbreviations and an introduction.[10]
The introduction states how the most frequently prescribed drugs in primary and secondary care were identified.[6] Each drug or class of drugs is listed in alphabetical order, displayed on a double page and explained in two sections; clinical pharmacology and practical prescribing.[6][7] These are then divided into;[6]
- Common indications: in which conditions the drug is used.
- Mechanism of action: the way the drug works.
- Important adverse effects: side effects.
- Warnings: cautions and reasons where the drug should not be used.
- Important interactions: effect with other drugs.
- Prescription: dose and route of administration of drug.
- Administration: how the drug is given.
- Communication: information required by people.
- Monitoring: checks needed for each drug.
- Cost: mostly highlighting whether a drug is expensive or inexpensive.
- Clinical tips: a useful fact from the authors' experience.
The pharmacology of a drug or drug class is presented with guidance on prescribing. A drug can also be located by organ system or by clinical indication.
Reception
In 2014, the book received a review from a
References
- PMID 33653750.
- ^ a b "The Top 100 Drugs e-book". www.uk.elsevierhealth.com. Archived from the original on 27 March 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ a b Begum, Abida; Patel, Urvasi (3 December 2018). "Nine essential resources for preregistration trainees". The Pharmaceutical Journal. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Elsevier: The Top 100 Drugs, 2nd Edition: Hitchings, Lonsdale, Burrage & Baker". www.elsevier.ca. Archived from the original on 20 March 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
- ^ PMID 29975799.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7020-7442-4.
- ^ a b c d Watts, Emma (8 October 2014). "The Top 100 Drugs". www.pulsetoday.co.uk. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ "The Top 100 Drugs - 3rd Edition". shop.elsevier.com. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ "The Top 100 Drugs – 2nd Edition". www.elsevier.com. Archived from the original on 25 March 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7020-7442-4.
- ^ Khan, Nahida (2014). "Book Review: The Top 100 Drugs – Clinical Pharmacology and Practical Prescribing". International Journal of Clinical Skills. 8 (4). Retrieved 21 March 2021.