Consumers and carers

Health information

Filters
Medicine branch
Medical Test
Medicine or treatment
Condition or symptom

Adrenaline

Adrenaline for severe allergies

Medicine or treatment

Adrenaline (epinephrine) reverses the effects of anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction and should be treated as a medical emergency.

Unorthodox testing and treatment for allergic disorders

Medical test

Allergy diagnosis and treatment should be evidence-based. Read more about unproven techniques and complementary medicine for asthma, hay fever & allergies.

Your dermatology telehealth appointment: A five step guide

Condition or symptom

The Australasian College of Dermatologists have developed a new patient resource for dermatology telehealth appointments.

Acne vulgaris

Condition or symptom

Acne (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 – starting the conversation

Medicine or treatment

Advance 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.

Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People

Medicine branch

A guide to managing pain and opioid medicines for children, young people and their parents

Unorthodox testing and treatment for allergic disorders

Medicine or treatment

Allergy diagnosis and treatment should be evidence-based. Read more about unproven techniques and complementary medicine for asthma, hay fever & allergies.

Your dermatology telehealth appointment: A five step guide

Medicine branch

The Australasian College of Dermatologists have developed a new patient resource for dermatology telehealth appointments.

Urticaria

Medicine branch

Urticaria (hives) is an itchy skin rash that can have various causes. Find out more about diagnosis and treatment of urticaria.

Acne vulgaris

Medicine branch

Acne (pimples, zits, spots) is a very common skin condition that usually begins in adolescence. Find out more about the causes and treatment of acne.

Unorthodox testing and treatment for allergic disorders

Medicine or treatment

Allergy diagnosis and treatment should be evidence-based. Read more about unproven techniques and complementary medicine for asthma, hay fever & allergies.

5 Questions to ask about using opioids for back pain or osteoarthritis

Medicine or treatment

Patient guides to managing low back and osteoarthritis pain and opioid medicines

Effective ways to help back pain

Medicine or treatment

There are effective ways that you can relieve back pain and help with your recovery, including staying active, thinking positively, and taking pain relievers.

Type 2 diabetes: blood glucose self-monitoring

Medical test

How often should you monitor your blood glucose levels if you have type 2 diabetes? Download a factsheet about self-monitoring and managing diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes: blood glucose self-monitoring

Medicine branch

How often should you monitor your blood glucose levels if you have type 2 diabetes? Download a factsheet about self-monitoring and managing diabetes.

Antibiotic resources for consumers

Medicine or treatment

Antibiotics resources for consumers, including background information about antibiotics, useful links and information translated into Arabic, Chinese (simplified and Chinese (Traditional).

Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People

Medicine branch

A guide to managing pain and opioid medicines for children, young people and their parents

Ankle

Medicine branch

Frozen shoulder

Medicine branch

Codeine

Medicine branch

Over-the-counter codeine: changes to supply

Low back pain

Medicine branch

Heartburn and reflux: manage your medicine

Medicine branch

Heartburn 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 branch

Bronchitis 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 branch

Middle ear infections (otitis media) usually get better on their own and don’t need antibiotic treatment.

Unorthodox testing and treatment for allergic disorders

Condition or symptom

Allergy 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 symptom

ASCIA 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 symptom

Adrenaline (epinephrine) reverses the effects of anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction and should be treated as a medical emergency.

Unorthodox testing and treatment for allergic disorders

Condition or symptom

Allergy 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 symptom

Adrenaline (epinephrine) reverses the effects of anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction and should be treated as a medical emergency.

Ankle and knee imaging resources for consumers

Condition or symptom

Ankle and knee resources for consumers, including useful links and factsheets.

Unorthodox testing and treatment for allergic disorders

Medicine branch

Allergy 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 branch

ASCIA has developed guidelines for allergy prevention in infants. Find out more about maternal diet and infant feeding practices here.

Adrenaline for severe allergies

Medicine branch

Adrenaline (epinephrine) reverses the effects of anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction and should be treated as a medical emergency.

Coughs, colds and sore throats

Medicine branch

Antibiotics aren’t likely to help coughs, colds or sore throats. Download a factsheet about treating respiratory infections here.

Advance Care Planning – starting the conversation

Medicine branch

Advance 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.

5 Questions to ask about using opioids for back pain or osteoarthritis

Condition or symptom

Patient guides to managing low back and osteoarthritis pain and opioid medicines

Acute short-term low back pain

Condition or symptom

The 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 symptom

There are effective ways that you can relieve back pain and help with your recovery, including staying active, thinking positively, and taking pain relievers.

Sleeping pills and older people: what are the risks?

Medicine or treatment

When 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 treatment

Using 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.

Type 2 diabetes: blood glucose self-monitoring

Medicine branch

How often should you monitor your blood glucose levels if you have type 2 diabetes? Download a factsheet about self-monitoring and managing diabetes.

Tumour markers

Medicine branch

Tumour markers can be helpful in diagnosing, monitoring and treating cancer. Find out more about tumour biomarkers here.

Type 2 diabetes: blood glucose self-monitoring

Medical test

How often should you monitor your blood glucose levels if you have type 2 diabetes? Download a factsheet about self-monitoring and managing diabetes.

RANZCO Choosing Wisely Australia messages

Medicine branch

RANZCO’s Choosing Wisely Australia messages are about ophthalmology test, treatments and procedures to question. Read a Public Information Sheet about eye healthcare.

Tumour markers

Condition or symptom

Tumour markers can be helpful in diagnosing, monitoring and treating cancer. Find out more about tumour biomarkers here.

Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People

Medicine or treatment

A guide to managing pain and opioid medicines for children, young people and their parents

Ankle and knee imaging resources for consumers

Medical test

Ankle and knee resources for consumers, including useful links and factsheets.

Acute short-term low back pain

Medical test

The exact cause of low back pain can be difficult to identify. Download a factsheet about managing back pain.

Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People

Medicine branch

A guide to managing pain and opioid medicines for children, young people and their parents

Allergy prevention in infants

Medicine branch

ASCIA has developed guidelines for allergy prevention in infants. Find out more about maternal diet and infant feeding practices here.

Unorthodox testing and treatment for allergic disorders

Medicine or treatment

Allergy diagnosis and treatment should be evidence-based. Read more about unproven techniques and complementary medicine for asthma, hay fever & allergies.

Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People

Medicine branch

A 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 branch

Patient guides to managing low back and osteoarthritis pain and opioid medicines

Advance Care Planning – starting the conversation

Medicine branch

Advance 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.

What causes bronchitis

Condition or symptom

Bronchitis is usually caused by viruses, including the common cold and flu, but bacteria can sometimes cause it.

What is a vitamin D test

Medicine branch

Vitamin D levels are determined by a simple blood test that measures 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD).

Tumour markers

Medicine branch

Tumour markers can be helpful in diagnosing, monitoring and treating cancer. Find out more about tumour biomarkers here.

Tumour markers

Condition or symptom

Tumour markers can be helpful in diagnosing, monitoring and treating cancer. Find out more about tumour biomarkers here.

What to do if you regularly use several medicines

Medicine branch

Managing 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 branch

When 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 branch

Using 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 branch

Medicines 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.

Advance Care Planning – starting the conversation

Medicine or treatment

Advance 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.

Effective ways to help back pain

Medicine branch

There are effective ways that you can relieve back pain and help with your recovery, including staying active, thinking positively, and taking pain relievers.

Acute short-term low back pain

Medicine branch

The 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 branch

There 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: manage your medicine

Medicine or treatment

Heartburn and reflux medicines (proton pump inhibitors) are often only needed for a short time. Download a factsheet about managing heartburn and reflux.

Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People

Medicine branch

A guide to managing pain and opioid medicines for children, young people and their parents

Tumour markers

Condition or symptom

Tumour markers can be helpful in diagnosing, monitoring and treating cancer. Find out more about tumour biomarkers here.

Type 2 diabetes: blood glucose self-monitoring

Medicine branch

How often should you monitor your blood glucose levels if you have type 2 diabetes? Download a factsheet about self-monitoring and managing diabetes.

Coughs, colds and sore throats

Condition or symptom

Antibiotics aren’t likely to help coughs, colds or sore throats. Download a factsheet about treating respiratory infections here.

Coughs, colds and sore throats

Condition or symptom

Antibiotics aren’t likely to help coughs, colds or sore throats. Download a factsheet about treating respiratory infections here.

What causes bronchitis

Condition or symptom

Bronchitis is usually caused by viruses, including the common cold and flu, but bacteria can sometimes cause it.

What to do if you regularly use several medicines

Medical test

Managing 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 test

When 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 test

Using 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 test

Medicines 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 test

A medicines review can improve your treatment and prevent problems, especially for elderly patients taking multiple drugs.

Effective ways to help back pain

Medicine or treatment

There are effective ways that you can relieve back pain and help with your recovery, including staying active, thinking positively, and taking pain relievers.

Medicines and dementia: what you need to know

Condition or symptom

Medicines 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.

Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People

Medicine or treatment

A guide to managing pain and opioid medicines for children, young people and their parents

Type 2 diabetes: blood glucose self-monitoring

Condition or symptom

How often should you monitor your blood glucose levels if you have type 2 diabetes? Download a factsheet about self-monitoring and managing diabetes.

Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People

Medicine or treatment

A 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 treatment

Patient guides to managing low back and osteoarthritis pain and opioid medicines

Ankle

Medicine or treatment

Frozen shoulder

Medicine or treatment

Codeine

Medicine or treatment

Over-the-counter codeine: changes to supply

Low back pain

Medicine or treatment

The downside of ‘benzos’: risk of dependence

Condition or symptom

Using 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.

Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People

Medicine or treatment

A 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 treatment

Patient guides to managing low back and osteoarthritis pain and opioid medicines

Effective ways to help back pain

Medicine or treatment

There are effective ways that you can relieve back pain and help with your recovery, including staying active, thinking positively, and taking pain relievers.

Advance Care Planning – starting the conversation

Medicine or treatment

Advance 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.

Medicines and treatments for a middle ear infection

Condition or symptom

Middle ear infections (otitis media) usually get better on their own and don’t need antibiotic treatment.

What to do if you regularly use several medicines

Medicine or treatment

Managing 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 treatment

A medicines review can improve your treatment and prevent problems, especially for elderly patients taking multiple drugs.

Heartburn and reflux: manage your medicine

Medicine or treatment

Heartburn and reflux medicines (proton pump inhibitors) are often only needed for a short time. Download a factsheet about managing heartburn and reflux.

Sleeping pills and older people: what are the risks?

Medicine or treatment

When 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 markers

Medical test

Tumour markers can be helpful in diagnosing, monitoring and treating cancer. Find out more about tumour biomarkers here.

Heartburn and reflux: manage your medicine

Condition or symptom

Heartburn and reflux medicines (proton pump inhibitors) are often only needed for a short time. Download a factsheet about managing heartburn and reflux.

What is a vitamin D test

Medical test

Vitamin D levels are determined by a simple blood test that measures 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD).

Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People

Medicine or treatment

A guide to managing pain and opioid medicines for children, young people and their parents

Heartburn and reflux: manage your medicine

Condition or symptom

Heartburn and reflux medicines (proton pump inhibitors) are often only needed for a short time. Download a factsheet about managing heartburn and reflux.

Allergy prevention in infants

Condition or symptom

ASCIA has developed guidelines for allergy prevention in infants. Find out more about maternal diet and infant feeding practices here.

Sleeping pills and older people: what are the risks?

Condition or symptom

When 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.

Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People

Condition or symptom

A 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 symptom

Patient guides to managing low back and osteoarthritis pain and opioid medicines

Low back pain

Condition or symptom

Acute short-term low back pain

Condition or symptom

The 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 symptom

There are effective ways that you can relieve back pain and help with your recovery, including staying active, thinking positively, and taking pain relievers.

Medicines and treatments for a middle ear infection

Condition or symptom

Middle ear infections (otitis media) usually get better on their own and don’t need antibiotic treatment.

Tumour markers

Condition or symptom

Tumour markers can be helpful in diagnosing, monitoring and treating cancer. Find out more about tumour biomarkers here.

Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People

Condition or symptom

A 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 symptom

Patient guides to managing low back and osteoarthritis pain and opioid medicines

Ankle

Condition or symptom

Frozen shoulder

Condition or symptom

Codeine

Condition or symptom

Over-the-counter codeine: changes to supply

Low back pain

Condition or symptom

Heartburn and reflux: manage your medicine

Condition or symptom

Heartburn and reflux medicines (proton pump inhibitors) are often only needed for a short time. Download a factsheet about managing heartburn and reflux.

What to do if you regularly use several medicines

Condition or symptom

Managing 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.

Tumour markers

Condition or symptom

Tumour markers can be helpful in diagnosing, monitoring and treating cancer. Find out more about tumour biomarkers here.

Coughs, colds and sore throats

Condition or symptom

Antibiotics aren’t likely to help coughs, colds or sore throats. Download a factsheet about treating respiratory infections here.

Coughs, colds and sore throats

Condition or symptom

Antibiotics aren’t likely to help coughs, colds or sore throats. Download a factsheet about treating respiratory infections here.

Advance Care Planning – starting the conversation

Condition or symptom

Advance 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

Condition or symptom

Urticaria (hives) is an itchy skin rash that can have various causes. Find out more about diagnosis and treatment of urticaria.

What is a vitamin D test

Condition or symptom

Vitamin D levels are determined by a simple blood test that measures 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD).

Managing Pain and Opioid Medicines for Children and Young People

Condition or symptom

A guide to managing pain and opioid medicines for children, young people and their parents