Now Available: Updated Drug Terminology Tool--RxNav

An updated version of the Web-based browser RxNav is now available to search RxNorm, the NLM database of standard names for clinical drugs that references the names of approximately 17,000 clinical drugs from several sources. RxNav displays graphically links from clinical drugs, both branded and generic, to their active ingredients (e.g., Ibuprofen), drug components (e.g., Ibuprofen 200 MG) and drug forms (Ibuprofen Oral Tablet). It also associates generic with brand names (e.g., Ibuprofen / Advil).

Every aspect of the RxNorm database can be queried through RxNav, including the names and codes of drugs and components in the drug resources referenced by RxNorm. Spelling suggestions are offered when no exact match is found in RxNorm for a given input term. RxNav accesses the RxNorm server at NLM, which is updated monthly.

"We hope that our tool makes it easier for physicians and pharmacists to deal with electronic drug prescription and to integrate drug information from various sources," says Dr. Olivier Bodenreider, one of the co-developers of the software.

RxNav is available at: http://mor.nlm.nih.gov/download/rxnav/

Last reviewed: 26 January 2007
Last updated: 26 January 2007
First published: 26 January 2007
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