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Drugs and Alternative Medicine: Resources

Aging Well, Living Well Home > Drugs and Alternative Medicine > Resources

• Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM)
• Safe Drug Use

Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Publications

1.   Age Page: Health Quackery: Spotting Health Scams - This publication covers issues of fraudulent health care schemes and treatments, how the elderly fall prey to 'quacks', what they promise, how to protect oneself, and a list of resources.

   http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/quackery.htm

2.   Alternative Approaches to Mental Health Care - This fact sheet discusses other approaches to mental health, such as self help, diet and nutrition, and relaxation therapies that can be used with traditional treatments or alone.

   http://www.mentalhealth.org/publications/allpubs/ken98-0044/default.asp

3.   Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Cancer Treatment: Questions and Answers - This fact sheet introduces complementary and alternative therapies, explaining what they are, and how they are used today. It explains how the NIH evaluates alternative therapies and lists clinical trials for the study of alternative therapies. It also provides advice for patients on what to do when considering complementary and alternative therapies.

   http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/therapy/CAM

4.   Dietary Supplements: Background Information - This online publication explains what is considered a dietary supplement and how dietary supplements are regulated.

   http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/DietarySupplements.asp

5.   Menopausal Symptoms and CAM - Many women and their health care providers have become interested in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for menopausal symptoms. This fact sheet is based on findings from a 2005 National Institutes of Health (NIH) State-of-the-Science (SoS) conference on the management of menopause-related symptoms. It answers some frequently asked questions and lists resources for more information.

   http://nccam.nih.gov/health/menopauseandcam/

6.   What Is Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)? - This publication contains information on what complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is, the different types of CAM that exist, and what the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) does in the field of CAM. It also provides a list of resources for additional information on CAM.

   http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam/

7.   What’s in the Bottle? An Introduction to Dietary Supplements - This fact sheet provides information about dietary supplements, why people take supplements, and where to find science-based information on a supplement.

   http://nccam.nih.gov/health/bottle/

8. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (Copyright © AARP) - This publication provides information on the different types of alternative treatments, finding good care, and the safety, effectiveness, and quality of alternative treatments. If also provides a list of things to consider before selecting an alternative care provider.

   http://www.aarp.org/health/staying_healthy/prevention/complementary_and_alternative_medicine.html...

9. Complementary and Alternative Medicines (Copyright © FHA) - This publication explains what alternative therapies are and how they are used and provides information on the safety, possible side effects, and regulations for dietary supplements. It also gives a description of some of the more common alternative therapies used by older adults.

   http://www.healthinaging.org/agingintheknow/chapters_ch_trial.asp?ch=7

Organizations

1.   Food and Drug Administration, HHS
2.   Office of Dietary Supplements
3. American Academy of Medical Acupuncture
4. American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
5. American Botanical Council
6. American Chiropractic Association
7. American Holistic Medical Association AHMA

= Indicates Federal Resources

Safe Drug Use

Publications

1.   Age Page: Medicines: Use Them Safely - This publication describes the difference between prescription drugs and over the counter (OTC) drugs and also offers tips to avoid risks and get the best results from your medication at home, at the doctor's office and at the pharmacy.

   http://www.niapublications.org/agepages/medicine.asp

2.   Drug Interactions: What You Should Know - This fact sheet explains how drugs interact with other drugs. It gives a brief overview of which drugs may cause a reaction with each other and discusses the importance of talking with your doctor about any medications you are taking.

   http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/druginteractions.htm

3.   Medication and Older Adults - This article discusses over medicating, medicine and special needs, living active lives and cost cutting. It also provides information on questions to ask doctors before taking new medications.

   http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1997/697_old.html

4.   Medicines and You: A Guide for Older Americans - This booklet provides a guide for older Americans on how to manage taking their prescription medications.

   http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/medAndYouEng.htm

5.   Taking Medicines - This publication provides information on medicines and your body. It provides information on how to take medicines safely, testing medicines, and the medicines in the future that will improve one's health.

   http://nihseniorhealth.gov/takingmedicines/toc.html

Organizations

1.   Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), SAMHSA, OPHS, HHS
2.   Food and Drug Administration, HHS
3.   National Institute on Aging, NIH, HHS
4.   Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
5. American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)

= Indicates Federal Resources