K2 Consultants is offering to produce a computer version of the 1997 Lexicomp Drug Information Handbook. I have their 1996 version and use it daily. It would be useful for physicians, pharmacists, and other health care providers. The K2 Lexicomp is a HTML version of the complete book. Since it is HTML, you can use it on any computer that can run a HTML viewer. Any Web Browser can display HTML. The 1996 version came with a freeware HTML viewer designed for HP palmtops.
The drugs are listed alphabetically by both trade and generic name. There is also a category listing, so you could look up beta blockers and find a list of all the drugs in that category.
Each drugs entry includes entries for: trade and generic names, category, pregnancy category, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, mechanism of action, dosages, forms, nursing issues and toxicology.
The 1996 package takes up 6.5 Meg of disk space uncompressed. It did compress to 2.2 Meg with Jam (a disk compression program similar to Stacker).
I have found it very useful in my day-to-day practice. I carry my 200LX into exam rooms with me. I can check pill strengths, interactions, doses etc., in a few seconds. I call it my computerized cheat sheet and most patients find it very acceptable.
K2 wants at least 15 orders before they will produce the 1997 version. Here is their contact information:
K2 Consultants, Inc.
33 Green Heron Lane, Nashua, NH 03062
603-551-5544 (v) 508-842-3666 (f)
617-497-1243 (Sales)
k2@sktscape.com
www.skyscape.com/k2
Steve Carder, MD
Family Practice
S_Carder@compuserve.com