There is a wealth of information on the internet about medicines - recommendations, testimonials and opinions. Unfortunately, not all of this information is always verified or reliable.
Blogs, forums and social media posts can contain misleading information, scary stories or even unsound advice. However, following seemingly sound advice can put your health at risk.
Not all websites are reliable sources of information
Information on the internet should be treated with caution. Anyone can publish anything, but not all websites check the accuracy of the content. Many sites operate mainly to make money by advertising or selling medicines that have no scientifically proven efficacy or safety. It is also important to bear in mind that the names of medicines, their indications for use and the conditions of sale may vary from country to country - some medicines may not be available at all in Estonia or may have different instructions for use.
Reliable information on medicines can be found in the Register of Medicinal Products.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information on all medicines on sale in Estonia, please visit the Register of Medicinal Products managed by the Estonian Medicines Agency, available at. medicinesregister.ee. This is a national database, which is also referenced by official online pharmacies, medicinesinfo.ee and the Health Portal.
You can find it in the Register of Medicinal Products:
1. general information about each medicine - such as the active substance, pharmaceutical form, strength and indications,
2. information on possible discounts, supply constraints and additional safety requirements.
Information for patients and health professionals
Two main documents are available with each medicine.
- The patient package leaflet contains, among other things, information on the active ingredients and excipients, intended use, dosage, side effects and storage requirements.
- The summary of product characteristics, on the other hand, is aimed primarily at healthcare professionals and contains more detailed medical information.
The package leaflet is the most important document for the user. It can be used to assess how to use the medicine correctly and safely. Reading the leaflet helps to avoid medication errors and reduces the risk of the medicine becoming less effective or even dangerous if used incorrectly.
If the leaflet doesn't answer all your questions or if you are confused about something, it is always worth consulting your pharmacist or doctor. A pharmacist can give practical advice on how to use medicines, while a doctor can help you decide whether a medicine is right for you.
Remember: trust only information from official sources on medicines. In Estonia, this is the medicines register.ee. If you're looking for information about a medicine on the internet, start there!
How to search the Pharmaceuticals Register?
- On your computer or smart device, open the medicines-register.ee website.
- Enter the name of your medicine in the search.
- Search results may contain medicines with the same name but different strengths or dosage forms - choose the one that matches your prescription.
- You will find a digital leaflet with all the information you need on the packaging of each medicine.
Why is it important to read the newsletter?
The leaflet provides the most accurate and reliable information about your medicine. There you will find:
- instructions on how, when and for how long to take the medicine,
- information about possible side effects and what to do about them,
- information about possible interactions of the medicine with other medicines or foods,
- a list of excipients that are important for patients with allergies or intolerances.
- instructions on how to store your medicine correctly
