Physicians' Desk Reference

Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR) is a compendium of information about prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs in the United States. It is published annually by Connectiv Health and is widely used by healthcare professionals to ensure the safe and effective use of medications.

History[edit | edit source]

The PDR was first published in 1947 by Medical Economics Company, a division of Thomson Healthcare. It was initially intended as a reference guide for physicians and pharmacists, but has since become a valuable resource for all healthcare professionals.

Content[edit | edit source]

The PDR contains detailed information about thousands of drugs, including their chemical composition, indications and usage, contraindications, warnings, precautions, adverse reactions, dosage and administration, and how supplied. Each entry is accompanied by a monograph, which is a detailed written study of a single specialized subject.

Format[edit | edit source]

The PDR is divided into several sections, each focusing on a different aspect of drug information. These include:

Manufacturer's Index: Lists the manufacturers of the drugs and provides their contact information.
Brand and Generic Name Index: Lists the drugs alphabetically by their brand and generic names.
Product Category Index: Groups the drugs by their therapeutic use.
Product Identification Guide: Provides pictures of the drugs for easy identification.
Product Information: Contains the detailed drug information and monographs.

Usage[edit | edit source]

The PDR is used by healthcare professionals to make informed decisions about prescribing and dispensing drugs. It is also used by patients and caregivers to understand the medications they are taking or administering.