Medicines information
Accidental overdose of medicine
Accidental overdose of medicine can be very dangerous, but it is preventable. Learn how to avoid overdosing, and what medicines need special care.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Learn more about how antibiotics work, how to take them and antibiotic resistance.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are medicines that treat depression and other mental health conditions. Read about the types and how to take them safely.
Antihistamines
Antihistamine medications help ease allergy symptoms. Read more about how they're used to treat conditions like hay fever and asthma.
Anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs)
Anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) are used to relieve pain and fever or reduce inflammation (redness and swelling). Find out about NSAIDs here.
Antipsychotic medicines
Antipsychotic medicines can help ease the symptoms of psychosis. Read about why you may need an antipsychotic medicine and possible side effects.
Antiretroviral treatment for HIV
Antiretroviral medicines stop HIV from multiplying and protects your immune system from damage. Learn more about antiretroviral medicines here.
Asthma medicines
Asthma medicines include relievers and preventers. Most asthma medicines come in inhalers or ‘puffers’. Read about how medicines for asthma are used.
Blood pressure medicines
Blood pressure medicines ('antihypertensives'), such as ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and diuretics help manage high blood pressure.
Buying medicines online
Buying medicines online may seem to have advantages, but there are lots of risks too. Find out more about buying medicines online here.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is medicine that aims to stop or slow down the growth of cancer cells. Find out how 'chemo' treatment works and its side effects.
Cold and flu medicines
Learn about over-the-counter medicines that might help relieve cold and flu symptoms and when antiviral medicine may be helpful.
Diabetes medication
Read about diabetes medicines including insulin and other medicines to control your blood sugar levels, how to take them and their side effects.
Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for arthritis
DMARDs are medicines used to treat autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Learn how these medicines work and about the side effects.
Diuretic medicines
Find out what diuretic medicines ('fluid tablets') are used for, how they work, the most common diuretics, and how to manage side effects.
General anaesthetic
A general anaesthetic is used to make you unconscious so you will not feel pain, move or be aware during surgery. Risks include nausea or tiredness.
Immunisation side effects
Immunisation side effects are unwanted effects that may happen after you get a vaccine. Learn how to treat mild adverse events after a vaccine.
Lithium
Lithium is a mood-stabilising medicine used to treat some mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder. Learn about the risks and benefits of this mood-...
Local anaesthetic
A local anaesthetic temporarily numbs a part of your body. Here's what you should know about 'having a local' and questions to ask your doctor.
Medicines and alcohol
You need to be careful if you drink alcohol when taking some medicines. This includes over-the-counter medicines and herbal remedies. Learn more here.
Medicines and breastfeeding
While most medicines are safe to take while breastfeeding, some can affect your baby. Learn out more about medicines and breastfeeding here.
Medicines during pregnancy
Learn more about which medicines are safe to take during pregnancy, including over-the-counter medicine, herbal supplements and vitamins.
Medicines and driving
Some medicines can affect the skills you need to drive safely. Read here to find out how to reduce your risks and stay safe on the road.
Medicines for babies and children
Get practical and reliable advice on giving your sick infant or child medicine, including help with measuring dosage and managing side effects.
Medicines safety for older people
Older people are at increased risk of medicine-related problems. Learn how to take your medicines safely and what to ask your doctor.
Nicotine dependence medicines
Learn how over the counter and prescription medicines, along with professional quit services, can help you quit smoking and vaping.
Opioid medicines
Opioids are a group of medicines prescribed by doctors to treat pain. Learn about side effects, withdrawal symptoms and what to do in an overdose.
Out-of-date medicines
All medicines have an expiry date displayed on their packaging. Learn about why medicines expire, and how to dispose of old medicines safely.
Over-the-counter medicines
Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are medicines you can buy without needing a prescription. OT medicines can cause side effects and drug interactions.
Pain-relief medicines
Pain relief medicines include over-the-counter and prescription medicines. Learn about their side effects as well as when and when not to use them.
Paracetamol
You can take paracetamol for mild to moderate pain. Find out when to take paracetamol, its side effects and what to do if you take too much.
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
Using the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), Australians can access a wide range of prescription medicines without paying full price.
Reading CMIs
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) leaflets provide information about the medicine you are taking. Learn where to get CMI pages and how to use them.
Reporting a problem with a medicine
You should tell your doctor or health professional about any problems with your medicine. It’s also helpful to report the problem to the TGA.
Scheduling of medicines and poisons
The scheduling of medicines is a national classification system that controls how medicines and poisons are made available to the public.
Side effects of medicines including vaccines
Side effects are any unwanted effects of a medicine. Learn more about different types of adverse reactions and what to do if you have them.
Statins
Statins are medicines used to lower cholesterol and are recommended for people at risk of cardiovascular disease. Here's how statins work.
Stimulant drugs
Stimulants are a class of drugs that make you feel more alert or energetic. They include drugs such as caffeine, some medicines, ice and cocaine.
Sunscreen
Learn how sunscreen protects your skin from sun damage, when and how to use it effectively reapplying every 2 hours and when to seek medical advice.
What are generic medicines?
Generic medicines have the same active ingredient as brand-name medicines. Find out about generic medicines, active ingredients and how they work.
