Your medicine, explained in plain English.
These are pharmacist written guides to common medications. Each one explains what the medicine does, how to take it safely, what to watch for, and how to think about cost. No jargon. Just clear, honest information from a pharmacist who fills these prescriptions every day.
Start with your medicine
Read quick answers first, then explore how to take your medicine, side effects, and help with cost.
Choosing an allergy medicine? Compare Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra.
Search a medicine beyond our featured guides
Look up prescription and over-the-counter drug information from MedlinePlus, a service of the National Library of Medicine. This broader resource is separate from Fairview’s selected education guides.
This is drug information, not pill identification or an interaction check. Browse the MedlinePlus drug directory.
All Fairview guides
These selected guides explain medicines we help patients manage. They are not a complete drug database. Explore all free patient tools.
Search a brand, generic name, or category. For example: Ozempic, metformin, or insulin. No account needed.
100 guides available
Allergy
Allergy medicines, product labels and practical use.
Bone health
Medicines that help protect and strengthen bones.
Gout prevention
Uric-acid treatment and preventing gout flares.
Inflammation
Steroid medicines and following your prescribed plan.
Cholesterol
Cholesterol medicines, timing and possible side effects.
Thyroid
Thyroid hormone, meals and supplement timing.
Oral antibiotics
Taking a prescribed antibiotic and recognizing problems.
Blood thinners
Medicines that lower the risk of a dangerous clot.
Diabetes and related
Medicines for blood sugar and the heart and kidney protection that can come with them.
Diabetes and weight
GLP-1 medicines, weight management, and the honest guide to using them safely.
Insulin
Every insulin we fill, explained simply, with low blood sugar safety front and center.
Heart
Heart failure and blood pressure medicines.
Bladder
Medicines for bladder symptoms and urinary flow.
HIV treatment and prevention
Daily medicines that keep HIV controlled.
Mental health and movement disorders
Long acting injections and other medicines for mental health and movement.
Nerve pain and seizure care
Medicines used for nerve pain and seizure control.
Kidney, potassium, and phosphate
Medicines that protect the kidneys and balance potassium and phosphate.
Digestive health
Medicines for the gut and digestion.
Nausea
Medicines that help prevent and relieve nausea and vomiting.
Pain and inflammation
Medicines for pain, swelling, and inflammation.
Eye health
Medicine for the eyes.
Lung and breathing
Medicines for the lungs and breathing.
Cancer treatment
Oral medicines used in cancer care.
Vaccines
Vaccines that help prevent serious illness.
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy medicine.
Seizure care
Medicine that helps control seizures.
IV antibiotics
A short course antibiotic given by IV.
Keep your medicines together
Create a free printable medication list for your next appointment. No account required.
Have a question about your medicine?
You do not have to figure it out alone. Ask a Fairview pharmacist, or move your prescription to a pharmacy that takes the time to explain things.
Medical disclaimer. This guide is here to teach you. It is not medical advice, and it does not replace your doctor or pharmacist. Always do what your doctor tells you, and ask a pharmacist before you change how you take any medicine.