Family medicine cabinet: Free, new online tool helps track your medication safety

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When it comes to the health of their children and even parents, many moms feel it's their responsibility to be as educated as possible about health and medicine. With the many different medicines out there, it is hard to keep track of who in the family is taking what and the dangers of drug reactions, interactions and side effects.

In fact, the incidence of serious drug reactions is increasing, according to a recent analysis of adverse drug events reported to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Now there is a free online tool to help the "family health officer" stay informed about the family's medicines: MedNotes (www.Drugs.com/mednotes). MedNotes is an award-winning, easy-to-use, personalized medication management program that can be used to track the whole family's medications. Developed by Drugs.com, the most comprehensive online medicine information Web site, MedNotes will help mothers and caretakers stay informed about their family's prescription and over the counter (OTC) drugs, safety news and possible allergic, food and drug interactions.

"Moms are gatekeepers of their family's health, from their children to their elderly parents, so it's critical for them to stay informed about their families' medications. But the reality is it's hard to keep up with new drug safety information coming out nearly every day," according to Alison Rhodes, "The Safety Mom," and nationally-recognized expert in child safety. "MedNotes gives mothers the important medication use and safety information they want -- and peace of mind when it comes to monitoring and managing their family's medication needs."

Features of MedNotes (www.drugs.com/mednotes):

* Add your medications to instantly assemble relevant medical information in a simple, easy to read personalized format.

* Gain immediate access to in-depth consumer information, drug comparisons, historical news, FDA alerts, drug interactions, plus food, allergy and medical condition interactions.

* Choose to be notified when new FDA alerts are issued and when any new drugs become available for any of your existing medical conditions.

* Print health and medication records, including physician and emergency contacts, allergies and medical conditions.

* Use MedNotes to manage medications profiles for yourself and your family.

MedNotes gives mothers the chance to create profiles for different family members, enter the names of all medications being taken and register to receive -- all in one easy-to-access place -- drug safety or interaction alerts, new drug and specific condition news that is released by the FDA or drug makers. Moms can also print portable personal health and medication histories, including physician and emergency contact information.

Feedback from early users recognizes MedNotes as a valuable aid to their everyday health management, and in some cases as a potentially life-saving information source. One consumer shared his printed MedNotes medication profile with paramedics in the ambulance and credits MedNotes with saving critical time and, potentially, his life, on the way to the hospital.

To create your own personalized MedNotes medication profiles or for more information, please visit: www.drugs.com/mednotes.