Medicines
Accidental overdose of medicine
Accidental overdose of medicine is dangerous, but preventable. Here's how to avoid the risk of overdose, and the medicines that need special care.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics revolutionised medicine in the 1940s because they treated infections caused by bacteria. Learn how antibiotics work and how to take them.
Antidepressant medicines
Antidepressant medications treat depression, anxiety and related conditions. They should only be used in consultation with a doctor.
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 can be used to relieve pain, reduce redness and swelling (inflammation), or treat a fever.
Asthma medication
Relievers and preventers, such as inhalers or 'puffers', are medications that help to manage and control asthma symptoms.
Blood pressure medication
Blood pressure medications ('hypertensives'), such as ACE inhibitors, beta blockers and diuretics can help to manage and treat high blood pressure.
Buying medicines online
Buying medicines on the internet has its advantages, but there is a risk of losing your money, damaging your health or breaking the law.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy describes medicine that aims to stop or slow down the growth of cancer cells. Find out how 'chemo' treatment works and its side effects.
Children's medicines
Children don't always need medicine to treat illnesses. But if you do need to give your child medicine, here are some useful tips.
Colds and flu medication
Learn about over-the-counter medicines that might help relieve cold and flu symptoms and when antiviral medication may be helpful.
Diabetes medication
There are many types of diabetes medicine, such as insulin, metformin and sulphonylureas. There's no one-size-fits-all medicine for diabetes.
General anaesthetic
A general anaesthetic is used to make you unconscious so you will not feel pain, move or be aware during surgery.
Generic vs. brand-name medicines
Every medicine has a brand name and a generic name. Learn about the differences and what to consider when deciding which is best for you.
HIV and AIDS medication
HIV medications (called 'antiretrovirals') fight to stop the virus multiplying while helping to protect the immune system from damage caused by HIV.
Lithium
Lithium is used to treat some mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder. Learn about the risks and benefits of this mood-stabilising medication.
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. Find out which medicines you can take and how to get advice.
Medicines during pregnancy
Learn more about taking medicines during pregnancy, which includes over-the-counter medicine as well as herbal supplements and vitamins.
Medicines and driving
Some medicines can affect the skills you need to drive safely. Here's how to reduce the risks and stay safe on the road.
Side effects of medicines including vaccines
Side effects are any unwanted effects of a medicine. Learn more about different types of medicine side effects and what to do if you have them.
Medication safety for older people
Older people are at increased risk of medicine-related problems. Learn how to take your medications safely and how to quiz your doctor.
Opioid medicines
Opioids are a group of medicines prescribed by doctors to treat pain. Learn about their side effects, withdrawal symptoms and what to do in an overdos...
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
There are some medicines you don't need a prescription for. These are called over-the-counter (OTC) medicines.
Pain-relief medicines
There's a range of pain-relief medicines for acute or chronic pain, including over-the-counter and prescription medication. All have possible side eff...
Paracetamol
Paracetamol is for mild to moderate pain. Learn about how paracetamol works, the possible side effects and when you should not take it.
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. Find out where to get a CMI 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 Australian ‘scheduling’ system for medicines and poisons categorises them based on their risks and how freely they're available to the public.
Statins
Statins are medicines used to lower cholesterol and are recommended for people at risk of cardiovascular disease. Here's how statins work.
