Australian Medicines Handbook 2003

The Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH) 2003 edition, published 20 years ago, was a comprehensive, user-friendly, and compact reference for drugs available in Australia. It was organized by organ system or therapeutic drug class, with drugs grouped by their indicated use. Each drug's action, indications, contraindications, and adverse effects were clearly explained. The edition included new topics on acute coronary syndromes and androgenic alopecia, expanded information on vaccines, and new evidence in many therapeutic areas, including hormone replacement therapy and thromboembolism prevention and treatment. The handbook also provided comparative information to assist prescribers in choosing the most appropriate drug within a class, and 'Practice points' that listed important considerations when using a drug. The AMH was praised for its clarity, brevity, and presentation of important information, including warning boxes for serious adverse effects. It also had a CD version with an intuitive interface and excellent search facility. The AMH was considered an essential tool for modern medical practice, particularly for general practitioners.