How MIMS Drug Handbook Can Help You with Drug Information and Guidelines
MIMS Drug Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for Healthcare Professionals
If you are a healthcare professional who needs reliable and up-to-date information on drugs, diseases, guidelines and more, you might have heard of MIMS. But what is MIMS exactly, and why should you use it? In this article, we will introduce you to MIMS Drug Handbook, one of the most popular and trusted products from MIMS. We will explain what MIMS is, what it offers, how to access it, how to use it effectively, and what are the alternatives to it. By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of whether MIMS Drug Handbook is the right choice for you and your practice.
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What is MIMS?
MIMS stands for Monthly Index of Medical Specialties. It is a leading provider of medical content for healthcare professionals across Asia-Pacific and beyond. According to its website, MIMS has over 50 years of experience in delivering drug information, clinical decision support tools, professional development opportunities, and independent editorials to more than 2 million registered healthcare professionals.
History and background of MIMS
MIMS was founded in 1963 in the UK as a monthly publication that indexed drugs by therapeutic class and brand name. It soon expanded to other countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, India, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, China and Japan. Over the years, MIMS evolved from a print-only publication to a multimedia platform that offers digital and mobile solutions as well as print products. Today, MIMS is part of Haymarket Media Group, a global media company that operates in 24 countries.
Products and services offered by MIMS
MIMS offers a range of products and services for healthcare professionals across different specialties and settings. Some of the main categories are:
Drug References & Guidelines: These include MIMS Drug Reference, which provides drug prescribing information customized to each country's healthcare setting; MIMS Specialty Editions, which compile the latest local and international disease management guidelines for quick reference; and Independent Editorials, which cover industry updates, expert opinions, case studies, symposium highlights and more.
Clinical Decision Support Tools: These include prescription screening tools that detect possible medication errors; drug interaction checkers that alert users to potential adverse reactions; drug dosage calculators that help users adjust doses based on patient factors; and drug identification tools that help users identify unknown pills.
Professional Development: These include career opportunities that connect healthcare professionals with potential employers; continuous medical education (CME) activities that allow users to earn CME points online; and webinars and podcasts that feature experts discussing various topics relevant to clinical practice.
Why use MIMS Drug Handbook?
One of the most popular and widely used products from MIMS is MIMS Drug Handbook. It is a comprehensive and authoritative guide to drugs, diseases, guidelines and more. It is designed to help healthcare professionals make informed decisions at the point of care. Here are some of the benefits of using MIMS Drug Handbook:
Benefits of MIMS Drug Handbook for healthcare professionals
It provides accurate and up-to-date information on over 3000 drugs, including indications, contraindications, dosages, interactions, side effects, warnings, precautions, pregnancy and lactation categories, and more.
It covers over 500 drug manufacturers and their products, including generics, biosimilars, branded drugs, and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.
It includes over 200 disease management guidelines from local and international sources, such as NICE, WHO, CDC, and more.
It offers easy-to-use features, such as search by drug name, disease name, manufacturer name, or keyword; browse by drug class, disease area, or specialty; filter by country, language, or currency; bookmark and annotate favorite pages; and share information via email or social media.
It supports evidence-based practice, as it references the sources of information and provides links to the original articles or websites.
It enhances patient safety and quality of care, as it helps users avoid medication errors, optimize drug therapy, and follow best practices.
Features and content of MIMS Drug Handbook
MIMS Drug Handbook contains a wealth of information that covers various aspects of drug therapy and clinical practice. Some of the main features and content are:
Drug monographs: These provide detailed information on each drug, such as brand name, generic name, therapeutic class, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, indications, contraindications, dosages, administration routes, interactions, side effects, warnings, precautions, pregnancy and lactation categories, storage conditions, availability, price, manufacturer details, and references.
Disease management guidelines: These summarize the latest recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases and conditions from local and international sources. They include tables, charts, algorithms, flowcharts, and images to illustrate key points.
MIMS tables: These are at-a-glance drug comparison charts that include dosing and monitoring regimens, available presentations, prices, potential sensitisers and compatible devices. They cover topics such as anti-anginals, antidiabetic agents, childhood immunisation schedule, combination inhalers for COPD, diabetes technologies, and more.
MIMS trackers: These are live trackers that monitor the latest changes in the drug market. They include drug shortages, new products, new generics, drug price changes, new and deleted indications, products coming soon, and deleted products.
MIMS supported resources: These are additional resources that complement MIMS Drug Handbook. They include hormone replacement therapy (HRT) table, switching antidepressants guide, emollient ingredients table, and more.
How to access MIMS Drug Handbook?
MIMS Drug Handbook is available in print, digital and mobile versions. Users can choose the format that suits their preferences and needs. Here are the options for accessing MIMS Drug Handbook:
Print version of MIMS Drug Handbook
The print version of MIMS Drug Handbook is a monthly publication that contains the most current information on drugs and guidelines. It is delivered to subscribers by mail or courier. The print version has several advantages such as:
It is portable and convenient to use anywhere and anytime.
It does not require internet access or electricity to use.
It is easy to read and scan with a clear layout and design.
It can be used as a reference or a study material.
The print version also has some limitations such as:
It may not contain the latest updates or changes that occur between issues.
It may be bulky or heavy to carry around.
It may be damaged or lost by mishandling or accidents.
It may be expensive or difficult to obtain in some countries or regions.
Digital version of MIMS Drug Handbook
The digital version of MIMS Drug Handbook is an online platform that contains the same information as the print version but with additional features such as a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. The digital version has several advantages such as:
It provides instant and unlimited access to the most updated information on drugs and guidelines.
It allows users to search, browse, filter, bookmark, annotate, and share information easily and quickly.
It supports evidence-based practice by providing links to the original sources of information and references.
It enhances user experience by offering interactive features such as images, videos, quizzes, polls, and feedback.
The digital version also has some limitations such as:
It requires internet access and electricity to use.
It may be affected by technical issues or glitches that may disrupt the service or cause errors.
It may pose security or privacy risks if the user's device or account is compromised or hacked.
It may be subject to subscription fees or charges depending on the user's plan or package.
Mobile version of MIMS Drug Handbook
The mobile version of MIMS Drug Handbook is an app that contains the same information as the print and digital versions but with a mobile-friendly interface and design. It can be downloaded and installed on any smartphone or tablet that runs on Android or iOS operating systems. The mobile version has several advantages such as:
It is convenient and accessible to use anywhere and anytime with a mobile device.
It does not require internet access to use once downloaded and installed.
It is optimized for mobile devices with a simple and intuitive layout and navigation.
It offers offline access to drug monographs and disease management guidelines for quick reference.
The mobile version also has some limitations such as:
It may not contain the latest updates or changes that occur between app updates.
It may consume storage space or battery life on the user's device.
It may be incompatible with some devices or operating systems that do not meet the app requirements.
It may be subject to download fees or charges depending on the user's network provider or plan.
How to use MIMS Drug Handbook effectively?
MIMS Drug Handbook is a valuable resource for healthcare professionals who need reliable and up-to-date information on drugs, diseases, guidelines and more. However, to make the most of it, users need to know how to use it effectively. Here are some tips and tricks for navigating MIMS Drug Handbook:
Tips and tricks for navigating MIMS Drug Handbook
Use the search function to find information quickly and easily. You can search by drug name, disease name, manufacturer name, or keyword. You can also use advanced search options to refine your search results by country, language, currency, drug class, disease area, specialty, or date.
Browse the information by category or topic. You can browse by drug class, disease area, specialty, manufacturer name, or drug name. You can also browse by MIMS tables, MIMS trackers, MIMS supported resources, or MIMS magazines.
Filter the information by your preferences or needs. You can filter by country, language, currency, drug class, disease area, specialty, or date. You can also filter by availability, price, generic status, or pregnancy category of drugs.
Bookmark your favorite pages for easy access later. You can bookmark any page in MIMS Drug Handbook and view them in your bookmarks list. You can also annotate your bookmarks with notes or comments for future reference.
Share information with others via email or social media. You can share any page in MIMS Drug Handbook with your colleagues, friends, or patients via email or social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, or WhatsApp. You can also print or download any page as a PDF file for offline use or distribution.
Examples and case studies of using MIMS Drug Handbook in clinical practice
To illustrate how MIMS Drug Handbook can help healthcare professionals in their daily practice, here are some examples and case studies of using it in different scenarios:
Example 1: Prescribing a new drug for a patient with hypertension
You are a general practitioner who sees a 55-year-old male patient with hypertension. He has been taking amlodipine 5 mg once daily for the past year, but his blood pressure is still not well controlled. You decide to prescribe him a new drug, telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that has been shown to lower blood pressure effectively and reduce cardiovascular risk. Before prescribing telmisartan, you want to check its information in MIMS Drug Handbook.
You open MIMS Drug Handbook on your smartphone and search for telmisartan. You find the drug monograph and read the information on its indications, contraindications, dosages, interactions, side effects, warnings, precautions, pregnancy and lactation categories, storage conditions, availability, price, manufacturer details, and references. You learn that telmisartan is indicated for the treatment of hypertension and prevention of cardiovascular events in high-risk patients. It is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to telmisartan or any of its components, severe hepatic impairment, biliary obstruction, or pregnancy. The recommended dosage is 40-80 mg once daily, depending on the patient's response and tolerance. Telmisartan may interact with other drugs that affect the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), such as ACE inhibitors or aliskiren; potassium-sparing diuretics or supplements; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); lithium; or digoxin. The most common side effects are headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, hypotension, hyperkalemia, and renal impairment. Telmisartan should be used with caution in patients with renal or hepatic impairment, volume depletion or hyponatremia, aortic or mitral stenosis or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or primary aldosteronism. Telmisartan is classified as pregnancy category D and should be avoided in pregnant women as it may cause fetal harm or death. It is not known whether telmisartan is excreted in human milk and should be used with caution in breastfeeding women. Telmisartan should be stored at room temperature and protected from light and moisture. It is available in 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg tablets from various manufacturers at different prices.
After reading the information on telmisartan in MIMS Drug Handbook, you confirm that it is suitable for your patient and prescribe him telmisartan 40 mg once daily. You explain to him the benefits and risks of taking telmisartan and advise him to monitor his blood pressure regularly and report any adverse effects. You also tell him to avoid taking other drugs that may interact with telmisartan without consulting you first. You bookmark the page on telmisartan for future reference and share it with your patient via email.
Example 2: Checking a drug interaction for a patient with diabetes
You are a pharmacist who dispenses a prescription for a 65-year-old female patient with type 2 diabetes. She has been taking metformin 500 mg twice daily and gliclazide 80 mg once daily for the past six months. Her doctor has added pioglitazone 15 mg once daily to her regimen to improve her glycemic control. Before dispensing the prescription, you want to check if there is any drug interaction between pioglitazone and her other medications.
You open MIMS Drug Handbook on your tablet and search for pioglitazone. You find the drug monograph and scroll down to the interactions section. You see that pioglitazone may interact with several drugs, such as:
Metformin: Pioglitazone may increase the plasma concentration and pharmacological effect of metformin, leading to an increased risk of hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis, or gastrointestinal disturbances. The dose of metformin may need to be adjusted when co-administered with pioglitazone.
Gliclazide: Pioglitazone may enhance the hypoglycemic effect of gliclazide, resulting in an increased risk of hypoglycemia, weight gain, or edema. The dose of gliclazide may need to be reduced when co-administered with pioglitazone.
Gemfibrozil: Pioglitazone may increase the plasma concentration and pharmacological effect of gemfibrozil, leading to an increased risk of myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, or hepatotoxicity. The dose of gemfibrozil may need to be decreased when co-administered with pioglitazone.
the drug interaction between pioglitazone and her other medications in MIMS Drug Handbook, you decide to contact her doctor and inform him of the potential interaction. You suggest that he may need to adjust the doses of metformin, gliclazide, and gemfibrozil for the patient. You also advise the patient to monitor her blood glucose levels closely and report any symptoms of hypoglycemia, muscle pain, or liver problems. You annotate the page on pioglitazone with your notes and share it with the doctor via email.
Example 3: Following a disease management guideline for a patient with gout
You are a nurse practitioner who manages a 45-year-old male patient with gout. He has a history of recurrent attacks of acute gouty arthritis that affect his right big toe. He has been taking allopurinol 300 mg once daily and colchicine 0.6 mg twice daily for the past three months to prevent further attacks. He comes to see you today because he has another flare-up of gout that started two days ago. He says that his toe is swollen, red, hot, and very painful. He wants to know what he can do to relieve his pain and prevent future attacks. You want to follow the latest disease management guideline for gout from MIMS Drug Handbook.
You open MIMS Drug Handbook on your laptop and browse by disease area. You find the guideline on gout diagnosis and management that was published by NICE in June 2022. You read the summary of the guideline and see that it covers the following topics:
Diagnosis of gout: This includes clinical assessment, laboratory tests, imaging tests, and differential diagnosis.
Treatment of acute gout: This includes pharmacological treatment, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine, corticosteroids, or combination therapy; non-pharmacological treatment, such as rest, ice, elevation, or analgesia; and monitoring and follow-up.
Prevention of recurrent gout: This includes pharmacological treatment, such as urate-lowering therapy (ULT) with allopurinol or febuxostat; non-pharmacological treatment, such as lifestyle modification, dietary advice, or weight management; and monitoring and follow-up.
Education and information for patients: This includes providing clear and consistent information on gout, its causes, triggers, complications, treatment options, and self-management strategies.
After following the guideline on gout diagnosis and management from MIMS Drug Handbook, you confirm that your patient has acute gout and prescribe him naproxen 500 mg twice daily and omeprazole 20 mg once daily for five days to reduce his inflammation and pain. You also advise him to rest and elevate his affected foot and apply ice packs for 20 minutes every four hours. You tell him to continue taking allopurinol and colchicine as prescribed and to come back for a follow-up visit in two weeks. You educate him about gout, its causes, triggers, complications, treatment options, and self-management strategies. You also encourage him to adopt a healthy lifestyle, such as drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol and purine-rich foods, and losing weight if he is overweight or obese. You bookmark the page on gout guideline for future reference and print it out for your patient.
What are the alternatives to MIMS Drug Handbook?
MIMS Drug Handbook is not the only source of information on drugs, diseases, guidelines, and more. There are other alternatives that may offer similar or different features and benefits. Some of the main alternatives are:
Comparison of MIMS Drug