Rx Tab
« Return to Epocrates Overview
 Medication Reference & Drug Interaction Tool
Alternative meds reference
IV meds compatibility check
Medication Reference & Drug Interaction Tool (Rx Tab)
OS Tested: Palm
OS Available: Palm, Pocket PC
Tested on: Tungsten T|5
Written by: David Stockwell, MD
Review Written: March 12th, 2006
Platform: Epocrates' unique platform
Installation: Easy
Speed: No Problems, quite zippy
Crashes: None encountered
Features: This is the basics of the Epocrates line. It includes the AutoUpdate function, the medication reference and the drug interaction tool called Multicheck.
AutoUpdate/DocAlerts — Every Epocrates product allows for automatic updating with AutoUpdate. Therefore every time the user syncs, the latest drug information (new alerts, new drugs, newly discovered interactions, etc.) is loaded onto the handheld. As long as the computer that sync's with the handheld is connected to the internet then AutoUpdate will run.
AutoUpdate also allows for the automatic downloading of Doc Alerts. This is Epocrates medical news service. It is a very handy way to sort through the latest in medical news and provides links or allows the user to request an email for more information.
Medication Reference — All entries contain the following information:
- Adult Dosing
- Peds Dosing
- Contraind/Caut.
- Drug Interactions
- Adverse Reactions
- Mfr/Cost Info
- Other Info
- Notes
Dosing information includes renal and hepatic dosing where relevant. Adverse reactions are separated into Serious & Common rather than a long laundry list of everything thrown together.
The Other Info category has brief information on pregnancy class, lactation safety, metabolism of the drug, method of excretion, DEA/FDA status (over the counter, requires a prescription or controlled substance), class of medication and mechanism of action.
Also these products allow for integration of insurance formularies that will provide coverage data for each drug.
MultiCheck-Another feature that is now a standard with most drug references is what Epocrates calls "MultiCheck." This is an interaction reference where two or more drugs (up to 20) can be entered and interactions presented rapidly. This is a very helpful feature.
Usability/Navigation:
This program is simple to navigate. Finding the drug of interest is fast and the information is presented clearly and concisely. This is not the most expansive drug reference however and if the user is looking for a comprehensive reference there are better options available.
The formulary information is best covered in California, with spotty coverage for other areas of the country. It is growing however.
Pros:
- Reliable drug reference
- Excellent drug interaction program
- Updated with every HotSync
- Cost information provided
- Insurance formulary included
Cons:
- Insurance formulary information lacks many carriers
Bottom line:
The core of Epocrates is well done and simple to use.
Alternative meds reference (Rx Tab)
OS Tested: Palm
OS Available: Palm, Pocket PC
Tested on: Tungsten T|5
Written by: David Stockwell, MD
Review Written: March 12th, 2006
Platform: Epocrates' unique platform
Installation: Easy
Speed: No Problems, quite zippy
Crashes: None encountered
Features: This is an add-on to the standard medication reference. Highlighted in the section as gray while the standard medications are in black. The sections available on these medications are different as well:
- Reported Uses
- Reported Doses
- Cautions
- Drug Interactions
- Adverse Reactions
- Synonyms
- Other Info
- Notes
Cautions is divided into "Avoid if-" and " "Caution if-."
Drug Interactions has lists of medications with potential interactions as well as specific monitoring suggestions. It is divided into lists of meds to Monitor/Modify Tx and Caution Advised.
Other Info is divided into Pregnancy, Lactation and Reference
Usability/Navigation:
Like the rest of the platform, this section is simple to navigate. There is as much information here on alternative medications as is available. This is a useful adjunct to the Rx section.
Pros:
- Excellent navigation/presentation
- Strong alternative med reference
Cons:
Bottom line: This section is a helpful guide on medications where there is often little information known
IV meds compatibility check (Rx Tab)
OS Tested: Palm
OS Available: Palm, Pocket PC
Tested on: Tungsten T|5
Written by: David Stockwell, MD
Review Written: March 12th, 2006
Platform: Epocrates' unique platform
Installation: Easy
Speed: No Problems, quite zippy
Crashes: None encountered
Features: Contained in the Rx tab this runs very similarly to the drug interaction tool called MultiCheck. In fact it is found by tapping the MultiCheck button. As the name implies, numerous IV medications can be checked for compatibility. It is based on the King Guide reference.
Up to 20 medications can be checked simultaneously.
Usability/Navigation:
Like the rest of the platform, this section is simple to navigate. It basically just gives a yes/no answer about compatibility.
Pros:
- Simple to use
- Effective
- For hospital based clinicians probably the most useful part of RxPro
Cons:
Bottom line: Nice, simple add-on to the Rx tab
|
top of page 
