UK's NHS Direct launches medicines health zone

NHS Direct, a UK National Health Service call center for advice to patients, has launched a medicines health zone on its web site (www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk), which it says is an in-depth guide to medicines, prescriptions, immunization, contraception and more.

The new zone gives users invaluable information about how to take medicines during specific times in life such as during breastfeeding, pregnancy and childhood but it also gives advice about vaccinations, the contraceptive pill and travel advice such as flying and hot weather. The new zone also covers recurring questions that most people have asked at some time or other: "what happens if I miss taking a dose and or take two; what are the side effects; how will alcohol, food or other medicines interact with my medicines?"

The zone gives in-depth guides to common medicines and treatments (Medicines A to Z) including painkillers, cancer treatments, laxatives and antibiotics. It offers advice on how to take medicines, including stopping their use, using creams and ointments, and what to do before surgery; a guide to medicines law and regulation - including advice about buying over-the-counter and controlled medicines.