Non-pharmaceutical interventions - Independent medicine & health information for consumers & professionals Non-pharmaceutical interventions

Reviews the diagnosis and treatment of depression. Non-drug treatments are first-line in mild-moderate cases, but also important for more severe cases

A summary of results from NPS consumer survey about complementary medicines use

A short summary of research project: Information Use and Needs of Complementary Medicine Users

Joe is a 71-year-old man who complains that he is ‘not feeling himself', his wife is concerned that he seems always fatigued

Reviews early assessment of cardiovascular risk and consideration of who would benefit from a lipid-lowering drug together with lifestyle changes

How are you managing your patients who require antipsychotics? Review 10 patients

Lists commonly used antipsychotics and incidences of common adverse effects

Reviews ways to achieve the best balance of clinical benefits and adverse effects for those with a psychotic illness or behavioural symptoms of dementia

Table of antidepressants for special patient groups including suicidal patients, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, the elderly, and those with cardiovascular disease or anxiety

How are you managing your patients who are at risk of osteoporosis? Review 10 patients

PBS lipid-modifying drug-eligibility criteria have changed to facilitate treatment according to risk of future cardiovascular events rather than cholesterol concentrations alone.

Female patient presents her first prescription for simvastatin. She doesn't really want to take it and asks you if she should bother.

Patient presents with rhinosinusitis, sore throat and cough. GP has diagnosed viral illness and recommended symptomatic management saying no benefit from antibiotic therapy.

Patient with osteoarthritis, mild reflux and heart failure presents with recurrence of joint symptoms which were previously well controlled with paracetamol.

Patient diagnosed with hypertension after elevated readings over several months. Family history of cardiovascular disease. Despite adequate trial of lifestyle changes his BP remains elevated.

Patient presents with symptoms including insomnia, tiredness, loss of appetite, and loss of interest in socialising. She has been taking St John's wort on a friend's recommendation.

Patient represents with persistent lower back pain which has improved but not resolved with paracetamol and diclofenac. Concerned pain will worsen if she does too much.

Patient requests help to reduce his alcohol intake which is beginning to affect his work. He is overweight and takes atenolol to treat his hypertension.

Patient recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes represents after trial of lifestyle measures. He has lost 2kg but his random blood glucose is 11.5 mmol/l.

Patient with osteoarthritis, mild reflux and heart failure presents with increased joint pain previously well controlled with paracetamol. He asks about the new drug for arthritis.

Elderly patient with recently diagnosed heart failure, IHD and occasional angina. Medications include frusemide and lisinopril (dose recently increased). Repeat serum biochemistry shows elevated creatinine and potassium.

Elderly patient diagnosed with osteoporosis, confirmed by BMD after X-ray showed 2 vertebral fractures. Had an early menopause and has family history of breast cancer.

Elderly patient requests 'something stronger' for worsening osteoarthritis of the knees. Has been taking paracetamol and meloxicam but knee pain has increased in last few months.

Patient with hypertension, occasional angina and type 2 diabetes presents for routine review. Recent blood sugar levels have been slowly increasing.

Elderly patient presents with INR of 4.6 (normally stable between 2.0-3.0). On warfarin for 12 months following a suspected TIA and has atrial fibrillation.

Patient presents to discuss her risk of osteoporosis. Her mother has just been diagnosed osteoporosis following a fractured neck of femur.

Patient recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes represents after trial of lifestyle measures. He has lost 2kg but his random blood glucose is 11.5 mmol/l.

Shelly is a 52-year-old florist who comes to see you concerned about her blood pressure (BP) readings.

Graph and figures depicting community benzodiazepine use from 1990 to 1998. Temazepam is the seventh most frequently dispensed item on the PBS.

Pharmacy letter on managing the common cold including symptom management, the benefits and risks of medicines and when to refer. Includes self-audit information.

Reviews non-drug treatments and drug treatments for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and when to consider stopping drug treatment.

Reviews atypical antipsychotics, including indications for use, adverse effects, and dosage recommendations.

Discusses effectiveness of antidepressants in treatmenting depression, postnatal depression, Mental Health Care initiative and antidepressants in breastfeeding.

Reviews evidence on efficacy of donepezil and rivastigmine in Alzheimer's disease, including side effects, and on managing behavioural disturbances in dementia using complementary medicine. Includes case study.

Outlines ways to detect those at risk of osteoporotic fracture, and interventions to reduce the risk of new or further fractures. Building healthy bones and fracture prevention are key to managing osteoporosis.

Information on assessing cardiovascular risk along with lifestyle interventions and drug therapy used in the management of hypertension. Sample feedback prescribing data is also provided.

Information on diagnosing heart failure and managing associated risk factors, along with the use of ACE inhibitors, diuretics, beta-blockers and non-drug interventions as treatment.

Information on assessing/managing cardiovascular risk factors, blood glucose control, and initiating insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes. Sample feedback prescribing data is also provided.

Information on the diagnosis of depression along with advice on assessing suicide risk, the role of non-drug therapy, and the use of antidepressants.

Information on factors to consider before starting PPIs and when reviewing continuing need in GORD and dyspepsia . Sample feedback prescribing data is also provided.

Information on lifestyle/diet interventions, drugs for diabetes, and how to manage cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes. Sample feedback prescribing data is also provided.

Information on blood pressure targets, lifestyle interventions, and the role of certain antihypertensives (e.g. low dose thiazides, calcium channel blockers) in the management of hypertension.

Advice on choosing appropriate HRT regimen and how to manage adverse effects. Benefits and risks associated with managing menopausal symptoms

Information on managing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia including advice on non-drug strategies, the use of antipsychotics and the monitoring and followup care required.

Information on preventing osteoporosis and reducing fracture risk through the use of physical activity, adequate calcium and vitamin D, and the use of anti-osteoporotic drugs, with bisphosphonates as first-line therapy.

Examines early use of insulin and oral antidiabetic agents to manage hypergylcaemia among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Provides info on preventing osteoporosis fractures, building healthy bones and identifying fracture risk by multiple interventions to the most at risk.

Reports on deletion of PBS listing and approved indications for muscle cramp for all oral quinine products.

Reviews evidence-based guidelines for use of SSRI antidepressants in children and adolescents and warns of increased risk of suicidality.

Reviews use of methylphenidate for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, including drug control issues and combination with non-drug interventions.

Being an active partner means you take responsibility for managing your health.

The latest NPS education program ‘Management options to maximise sleep’ encourages prescribers to recommend non-drug therapies as first-line treatment for insomnia and to discuss the importance of good sleep practices and the potential harms of hypnotic medicines with the patient before prescribing hypnotics.

NPS's Dr Janette Randall, who was interviewed on Channel 9's Mornings with Kerri-Anne program, gives you useful tips for prevention and treatment of the common cold.

Information for consumers about strontium ranelate (Protos) for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Fact sheet on zolpidem sleeping tablets (including Stilnox brand), with information on minimising side effects and non-drug interventions for insomnia.

Learn about the novel ways People Living with HIV/AIDS Victoria (PLWHA) has developed to ensure that people with HIV have the information they need to manage their medicines effectively.

Learn about lifestyle measures for dealing with sleep problems, to avoid the use of sleeping tablets. Tips include keeping a regular routine throughout the day and relaxing in the evening.

Learn about lifestyle measures and other non-drug interventions to improve your health without using medicines, or in addition to using medicines.

A research report about complementary medicine information use and needs of GPs and Pharmacists

National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is advising consumers concerned about the possible adverse reactions associated with the sleeping medicine Stilnox (zolpidem) to visit their doctor to assess whether they are at risk.

The 2008 toolbox talk will provide some important messages about key infectious periods, ways to help protect staff from common colds, and why antibiotics won’t help people get back to work faster. It provides workplaces with an opportunity to improve the health and safety of employees at work and at home.

Find out about some of non-drug treatments and strategies you can use to help yourself recover more quickly from depression.

Provides advice on preventing common colds and treating cold symptoms using over-the-counter products and non-drug interventions.

Educates adult ESL patients on home care for the common cold, including appropriate use of antibiotics and prevention of disease transmission.

Advice on preventing the spread of colds, and managing colds without the use of antibiotics.

Learn about analgesic and anti-inflammatory medicines for managing the pain of osteoarthritis.

Common colds can make you feel lousy, but do you actually know what causes them? On this site you will find useful tips and resources for prevention and treatment of the common cold for schools.

Managing pain without medicines

This resource is designed to help health professionals provide advice to their patients on the symptomatic management of acute low back pain