Health information
Adrenaline
Adrenaline for severe allergies
Medicine or treatmentAdrenaline (epinephrine) reverses the effects of anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction and should be treated as a medical emergency.
Allergy tests
Unorthodox testing and treatment for allergic disorders
Medical testAllergy diagnosis and treatment should be evidence-based. Read more about unproven techniques and complementary medicine for asthma, hay fever & allergies.
Acne
Your dermatology telehealth appointment: A five step guide
Condition or symptomThe Australasian College of Dermatologists have developed a new patient resource for dermatology telehealth appointments.
Acne vulgaris
Condition or symptomAcne (pimples, zits, spots) is a very common skin condition that usually begins in adolescence. Find out more about the causes and treatment of acne.
Advance care planning
Advance Care Planning – starting the conversation
Medicine or treatmentAdvance Care Planning is an important process. It involves talking with friends and loved ones about your future health care wishes, documenting what you may or may not want and it can include appointing a substitute decision maker. It enables you to take control of your future health care and treatment if you are not able to communicate your wishes.
Anaesthesiology
Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People
Medicine branchA guide to managing pain and opioid medicines for children, young people and their parents
Allergen immunotherapy
Unorthodox testing and treatment for allergic disorders
Medicine or treatmentAllergy diagnosis and treatment should be evidence-based. Read more about unproven techniques and complementary medicine for asthma, hay fever & allergies.
Dermatology
Your dermatology telehealth appointment: A five step guide
Medicine branchThe Australasian College of Dermatologists have developed a new patient resource for dermatology telehealth appointments.
Urticaria
Medicine branchUrticaria (hives) is an itchy skin rash that can have various causes. Find out more about diagnosis and treatment of urticaria.
Acne vulgaris
Medicine branchAcne (pimples, zits, spots) is a very common skin condition that usually begins in adolescence. Find out more about the causes and treatment of acne.
Alternative medicine
Unorthodox testing and treatment for allergic disorders
Medicine or treatmentAllergy diagnosis and treatment should be evidence-based. Read more about unproven techniques and complementary medicine for asthma, hay fever & allergies.
Analgesics
5 Questions to ask about using opioids for back pain or osteoarthritis
Medicine or treatmentPatient guides to managing low back and osteoarthritis pain and opioid medicines
Effective ways to help back pain
Medicine or treatmentThere are effective ways that you can relieve back pain and help with your recovery, including staying active, thinking positively, and taking pain relievers.
Blood glucose test
Type 2 diabetes: blood glucose self-monitoring
Medical testHow often should you monitor your blood glucose levels if you have type 2 diabetes? Download a factsheet about self-monitoring and managing diabetes.
Endocrinology
Type 2 diabetes: blood glucose self-monitoring
Medicine branchHow often should you monitor your blood glucose levels if you have type 2 diabetes? Download a factsheet about self-monitoring and managing diabetes.
Antibiotics
Antibiotic resources for consumers
Medicine or treatmentAntibiotics resources for consumers, including background information about antibiotics, useful links and information translated into Arabic, Chinese (simplified and Chinese (Traditional).
General practice
Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People
Medicine branchA guide to managing pain and opioid medicines for children, young people and their parents
Ankle
Medicine branchFrozen shoulder
Medicine branchLow back pain
Medicine branchHeartburn and reflux: manage your medicine
Medicine branchHeartburn and reflux medicines (proton pump inhibitors) are often only needed for a short time. Download a factsheet about managing heartburn and reflux.
What causes bronchitis
Medicine branchBronchitis is usually caused by viruses, including the common cold and flu, but bacteria can sometimes cause it.
Medicines and treatments for a middle ear infection
Medicine branchMiddle ear infections (otitis media) usually get better on their own and don’t need antibiotic treatment.
Allergies
Unorthodox testing and treatment for allergic disorders
Condition or symptomAllergy diagnosis and treatment should be evidence-based. Read more about unproven techniques and complementary medicine for asthma, hay fever & allergies.
Allergy prevention in infants
Condition or symptomASCIA has developed guidelines for allergy prevention in infants. Find out more about maternal diet and infant feeding practices here.
Adrenaline for severe allergies
Condition or symptomAdrenaline (epinephrine) reverses the effects of anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction and should be treated as a medical emergency.
Anaphylaxis
Unorthodox testing and treatment for allergic disorders
Condition or symptomAllergy diagnosis and treatment should be evidence-based. Read more about unproven techniques and complementary medicine for asthma, hay fever & allergies.
Adrenaline for severe allergies
Condition or symptomAdrenaline (epinephrine) reverses the effects of anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction and should be treated as a medical emergency.
Ankle injuries
Ankle and knee imaging resources for consumers
Condition or symptomAnkle and knee resources for consumers, including useful links and factsheets.
Immunology and allergy
Unorthodox testing and treatment for allergic disorders
Medicine branchAllergy diagnosis and treatment should be evidence-based. Read more about unproven techniques and complementary medicine for asthma, hay fever & allergies.
Allergy prevention in infants
Medicine branchASCIA has developed guidelines for allergy prevention in infants. Find out more about maternal diet and infant feeding practices here.
Adrenaline for severe allergies
Medicine branchAdrenaline (epinephrine) reverses the effects of anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction and should be treated as a medical emergency.
Infectious diseases
Coughs, colds and sore throats
Medicine branchAntibiotics aren’t likely to help coughs, colds or sore throats. Download a factsheet about treating respiratory infections here.
Intensive care medicine
Advance Care Planning – starting the conversation
Medicine branchAdvance Care Planning is an important process. It involves talking with friends and loved ones about your future health care wishes, documenting what you may or may not want and it can include appointing a substitute decision maker. It enables you to take control of your future health care and treatment if you are not able to communicate your wishes.
Back pain
5 Questions to ask about using opioids for back pain or osteoarthritis
Condition or symptomPatient guides to managing low back and osteoarthritis pain and opioid medicines
Acute short-term low back pain
Condition or symptomThe exact cause of low back pain can be difficult to identify. Download a factsheet about managing back pain.
Effective ways to help back pain
Condition or symptomThere are effective ways that you can relieve back pain and help with your recovery, including staying active, thinking positively, and taking pain relievers.
Benzodiazepines
Sleeping pills and older people: what are the risks?
Medicine or treatmentWhen it comes to sleeping pills, it is important that you understand the risks, how to use them safely and know when not to use them. Read about sleeping pills on the NPS MedicineWise website.
The downside of ‘benzos’: risk of dependence
Medicine or treatmentUsing benzodiazepines continuously for longer than 4 weeks can be problematic because tolerance and dependence are more likely to develop, which can lead to more severe side effects.
Nursing
Type 2 diabetes: blood glucose self-monitoring
Medicine branchHow often should you monitor your blood glucose levels if you have type 2 diabetes? Download a factsheet about self-monitoring and managing diabetes.
Oncology
Tumour markers
Medicine branchTumour markers can be helpful in diagnosing, monitoring and treating cancer. Find out more about tumour biomarkers here.
Diabetes tests
Type 2 diabetes: blood glucose self-monitoring
Medical testHow often should you monitor your blood glucose levels if you have type 2 diabetes? Download a factsheet about self-monitoring and managing diabetes.
Ophthalmology
RANZCO Choosing Wisely Australia messages
Medicine branchRANZCO’s Choosing Wisely Australia messages are about ophthalmology test, treatments and procedures to question. Read a Public Information Sheet about eye healthcare.
Bowel cancer
Tumour markers
Condition or symptomTumour markers can be helpful in diagnosing, monitoring and treating cancer. Find out more about tumour biomarkers here.
Codeine
Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People
Medicine or treatmentA guide to managing pain and opioid medicines for children, young people and their parents
Diagnostic imaging
Ankle and knee imaging resources for consumers
Medical testAnkle and knee resources for consumers, including useful links and factsheets.
Acute short-term low back pain
Medical testThe exact cause of low back pain can be difficult to identify. Download a factsheet about managing back pain.
Paediatrics
Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People
Medicine branchA guide to managing pain and opioid medicines for children, young people and their parents
Allergy prevention in infants
Medicine branchASCIA has developed guidelines for allergy prevention in infants. Find out more about maternal diet and infant feeding practices here.
Complementary therapies
Unorthodox testing and treatment for allergic disorders
Medicine or treatmentAllergy diagnosis and treatment should be evidence-based. Read more about unproven techniques and complementary medicine for asthma, hay fever & allergies.
Pain medicine
Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People
Medicine branchA guide to managing pain and opioid medicines for children, young people and their parents
5 Questions to ask about using opioids for back pain or osteoarthritis
Medicine branchPatient guides to managing low back and osteoarthritis pain and opioid medicines
Palliative medicine
Advance Care Planning – starting the conversation
Medicine branchAdvance Care Planning is an important process. It involves talking with friends and loved ones about your future health care wishes, documenting what you may or may not want and it can include appointing a substitute decision maker. It enables you to take control of your future health care and treatment if you are not able to communicate your wishes.
Bronchitis
What causes bronchitis
Condition or symptomBronchitis is usually caused by viruses, including the common cold and flu, but bacteria can sometimes cause it.
Pathology
What is a vitamin D test
Medicine branchVitamin D levels are determined by a simple blood test that measures 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD).
Tumour markers
Medicine branchTumour markers can be helpful in diagnosing, monitoring and treating cancer. Find out more about tumour biomarkers here.
Cancer
Tumour markers
Condition or symptomTumour markers can be helpful in diagnosing, monitoring and treating cancer. Find out more about tumour biomarkers here.
Pharmacology
What to do if you regularly use several medicines
Medicine branchManaging several medicines at once can be a challenge, but these tips will help you avoid mishaps. Read about managing several medicines on the NPS MedicineWise website.
Sleeping pills and older people: what are the risks?
Medicine branchWhen it comes to sleeping pills, it is important that you understand the risks, how to use them safely and know when not to use them. Read about sleeping pills on the NPS MedicineWise website.
The downside of ‘benzos’: risk of dependence
Medicine branchUsing benzodiazepines continuously for longer than 4 weeks can be problematic because tolerance and dependence are more likely to develop, which can lead to more severe side effects.
Medicines and dementia: what you need to know
Medicine branchMedicines do not have to be part of your care plan for dementia, and if they are, they do not have to play a large role in your life. NPS MedicineWise and Alzheimer’s Australia have prepared downloadable materials to help you ask questions and talk with people close to you and the health professionals involved in your care about how you would like to be supported. Read about how to communicate about dementia and your care on the NPS MedicineWise website.
End of life care
Advance Care Planning – starting the conversation
Medicine or treatmentAdvance Care Planning is an important process. It involves talking with friends and loved ones about your future health care wishes, documenting what you may or may not want and it can include appointing a substitute decision maker. It enables you to take control of your future health care and treatment if you are not able to communicate your wishes.
Physiotherapy
Effective ways to help back pain
Medicine branchThere are effective ways that you can relieve back pain and help with your recovery, including staying active, thinking positively, and taking pain relievers.
Radiology
Acute short-term low back pain
Medicine branchThe exact cause of low back pain can be difficult to identify. Download a factsheet about managing back pain.
Effective ways to help back pain
Medicine branchThere are effective ways that you can relieve back pain and help with your recovery, including staying active, thinking positively, and taking pain relievers.
Heartburn and reflux medicines
Heartburn and reflux: manage your medicine
Medicine or treatmentHeartburn and reflux medicines (proton pump inhibitors) are often only needed for a short time. Download a factsheet about managing heartburn and reflux.
Surgery
Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People
Medicine branchA guide to managing pain and opioid medicines for children, young people and their parents
Colorectal cancer
Tumour markers
Condition or symptomTumour markers can be helpful in diagnosing, monitoring and treating cancer. Find out more about tumour biomarkers here.
General medicine
Type 2 diabetes: blood glucose self-monitoring
Medicine branchHow often should you monitor your blood glucose levels if you have type 2 diabetes? Download a factsheet about self-monitoring and managing diabetes.
Common cold
Coughs, colds and sore throats
Condition or symptomAntibiotics aren’t likely to help coughs, colds or sore throats. Download a factsheet about treating respiratory infections here.
Cough
Coughs, colds and sore throats
Condition or symptomAntibiotics aren’t likely to help coughs, colds or sore throats. Download a factsheet about treating respiratory infections here.
What causes bronchitis
Condition or symptomBronchitis is usually caused by viruses, including the common cold and flu, but bacteria can sometimes cause it.
Medication review
What to do if you regularly use several medicines
Medical testManaging several medicines at once can be a challenge, but these tips will help you avoid mishaps. Read about managing several medicines on the NPS MedicineWise website.
Sleeping pills and older people: what are the risks?
Medical testWhen it comes to sleeping pills, it is important that you understand the risks, how to use them safely and know when not to use them. Read about sleeping pills on the NPS MedicineWise website.
The downside of ‘benzos’: risk of dependence
Medical testUsing benzodiazepines continuously for longer than 4 weeks can be problematic because tolerance and dependence are more likely to develop, which can lead to more severe side effects.
Medicines and dementia: what you need to know
Medical testMedicines do not have to be part of your care plan for dementia, and if they are, they do not have to play a large role in your life. NPS MedicineWise and Alzheimer’s Australia have prepared downloadable materials to help you ask questions and talk with people close to you and the health professionals involved in your care about how you would like to be supported. Read about how to communicate about dementia and your care on the NPS MedicineWise website.
What is a medicines review?
Medical testA medicines review can improve your treatment and prevent problems, especially for elderly patients taking multiple drugs.
Manual therapy
Effective ways to help back pain
Medicine or treatmentThere are effective ways that you can relieve back pain and help with your recovery, including staying active, thinking positively, and taking pain relievers.
Dementia
Medicines and dementia: what you need to know
Condition or symptomMedicines do not have to be part of your care plan for dementia, and if they are, they do not have to play a large role in your life. NPS MedicineWise and Alzheimer’s Australia have prepared downloadable materials to help you ask questions and talk with people close to you and the health professionals involved in your care about how you would like to be supported. Read about how to communicate about dementia and your care on the NPS MedicineWise website.
Non-pharmacological treatments
Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People
Medicine or treatmentA guide to managing pain and opioid medicines for children, young people and their parents
Diabetes, type 2
Type 2 diabetes: blood glucose self-monitoring
Condition or symptomHow often should you monitor your blood glucose levels if you have type 2 diabetes? Download a factsheet about self-monitoring and managing diabetes.
Opioids
Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People
Medicine or treatmentA guide to managing pain and opioid medicines for children, young people and their parents
5 Questions to ask about using opioids for back pain or osteoarthritis
Medicine or treatmentPatient guides to managing low back and osteoarthritis pain and opioid medicines
Ankle
Medicine or treatmentFrozen shoulder
Medicine or treatmentLow back pain
Medicine or treatmentDrug dependence
The downside of ‘benzos’: risk of dependence
Condition or symptomUsing benzodiazepines continuously for longer than 4 weeks can be problematic because tolerance and dependence are more likely to develop, which can lead to more severe side effects.
Pain medicines
Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People
Medicine or treatmentA guide to managing pain and opioid medicines for children, young people and their parents
5 Questions to ask about using opioids for back pain or osteoarthritis
Medicine or treatmentPatient guides to managing low back and osteoarthritis pain and opioid medicines
Effective ways to help back pain
Medicine or treatmentThere are effective ways that you can relieve back pain and help with your recovery, including staying active, thinking positively, and taking pain relievers.
Palliative care
Advance Care Planning – starting the conversation
Medicine or treatmentAdvance Care Planning is an important process. It involves talking with friends and loved ones about your future health care wishes, documenting what you may or may not want and it can include appointing a substitute decision maker. It enables you to take control of your future health care and treatment if you are not able to communicate your wishes.
Ear infection - middle
Medicines and treatments for a middle ear infection
Condition or symptomMiddle ear infections (otitis media) usually get better on their own and don’t need antibiotic treatment.
Polypharmacy
What to do if you regularly use several medicines
Medicine or treatmentManaging several medicines at once can be a challenge, but these tips will help you avoid mishaps. Read about managing several medicines on the NPS MedicineWise website.
What is a medicines review?
Medicine or treatmentA medicines review can improve your treatment and prevent problems, especially for elderly patients taking multiple drugs.
Proton pump inhibitors
Heartburn and reflux: manage your medicine
Medicine or treatmentHeartburn and reflux medicines (proton pump inhibitors) are often only needed for a short time. Download a factsheet about managing heartburn and reflux.
Sedatives and medicines for sleep problems
Sleeping pills and older people: what are the risks?
Medicine or treatmentWhen it comes to sleeping pills, it is important that you understand the risks, how to use them safely and know when not to use them. Read about sleeping pills on the NPS MedicineWise website.
Tumour marker test
Tumour markers
Medical testTumour markers can be helpful in diagnosing, monitoring and treating cancer. Find out more about tumour biomarkers here.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux
Heartburn and reflux: manage your medicine
Condition or symptomHeartburn and reflux medicines (proton pump inhibitors) are often only needed for a short time. Download a factsheet about managing heartburn and reflux.
Vitamin D tests
What is a vitamin D test
Medical testVitamin D levels are determined by a simple blood test that measures 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD).
Surgery
Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People
Medicine or treatmentA guide to managing pain and opioid medicines for children, young people and their parents
Heartburn and reflux
Heartburn and reflux: manage your medicine
Condition or symptomHeartburn and reflux medicines (proton pump inhibitors) are often only needed for a short time. Download a factsheet about managing heartburn and reflux.
Infant nutritional problems
Allergy prevention in infants
Condition or symptomASCIA has developed guidelines for allergy prevention in infants. Find out more about maternal diet and infant feeding practices here.
Insomnia
Sleeping pills and older people: what are the risks?
Condition or symptomWhen it comes to sleeping pills, it is important that you understand the risks, how to use them safely and know when not to use them. Read about sleeping pills on the NPS MedicineWise website.
Low back pain
Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People
Condition or symptomA guide to managing pain and opioid medicines for children, young people and their parents
5 Questions to ask about using opioids for back pain or osteoarthritis
Condition or symptomPatient guides to managing low back and osteoarthritis pain and opioid medicines
Low back pain
Condition or symptomAcute short-term low back pain
Condition or symptomThe exact cause of low back pain can be difficult to identify. Download a factsheet about managing back pain.
Effective ways to help back pain
Condition or symptomThere are effective ways that you can relieve back pain and help with your recovery, including staying active, thinking positively, and taking pain relievers.
Otitis media
Medicines and treatments for a middle ear infection
Condition or symptomMiddle ear infections (otitis media) usually get better on their own and don’t need antibiotic treatment.
Ovarian cancer
Tumour markers
Condition or symptomTumour markers can be helpful in diagnosing, monitoring and treating cancer. Find out more about tumour biomarkers here.
Pain
Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People
Condition or symptomA guide to managing pain and opioid medicines for children, young people and their parents
5 Questions to ask about using opioids for back pain or osteoarthritis
Condition or symptomPatient guides to managing low back and osteoarthritis pain and opioid medicines
Ankle
Condition or symptomFrozen shoulder
Condition or symptomLow back pain
Condition or symptomPeptic ulcers
Heartburn and reflux: manage your medicine
Condition or symptomHeartburn and reflux medicines (proton pump inhibitors) are often only needed for a short time. Download a factsheet about managing heartburn and reflux.
Polypharmacy
What to do if you regularly use several medicines
Condition or symptomManaging several medicines at once can be a challenge, but these tips will help you avoid mishaps. Read about managing several medicines on the NPS MedicineWise website.
Prostate cancer
Tumour markers
Condition or symptomTumour markers can be helpful in diagnosing, monitoring and treating cancer. Find out more about tumour biomarkers here.
Respiratory tract infection
Coughs, colds and sore throats
Condition or symptomAntibiotics aren’t likely to help coughs, colds or sore throats. Download a factsheet about treating respiratory infections here.
Sore throat
Coughs, colds and sore throats
Condition or symptomAntibiotics aren’t likely to help coughs, colds or sore throats. Download a factsheet about treating respiratory infections here.
Terminal illness
Advance Care Planning – starting the conversation
Condition or symptomAdvance Care Planning is an important process. It involves talking with friends and loved ones about your future health care wishes, documenting what you may or may not want and it can include appointing a substitute decision maker. It enables you to take control of your future health care and treatment if you are not able to communicate your wishes.
Urticaria (Hives)
Urticaria
Condition or symptomUrticaria (hives) is an itchy skin rash that can have various causes. Find out more about diagnosis and treatment of urticaria.
Vitamin D deficiency
What is a vitamin D test
Condition or symptomVitamin D levels are determined by a simple blood test that measures 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD).
Chronic non-cancer pain
Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People
Condition or symptomA guide to managing pain and opioid medicines for children, young people and their parents