Need to talk? Call 1800 882 436.
It's a free call with a maternal child health nurse. *call charges may apply from your mobile

Is it an emergency? Dial 000
If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately.

beginning of content

NPS MedicineWise

The NPS MedicineWise website is now hosted by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care as part of the redesign of the Quality Use of Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Pathology program.

Established in 1998 with the primary aim of promoting quality use of medicines, the website today empowers all Australians to make the best possible healthcare decisions.

How NPS Medicinewise can help

The NPS MedicineWise website provides practical tools and information about medicines, health conditions and medical tests.

Recommended links

This information was originally published on healthdirect - NPS MedicineWise.

Last reviewed: January 2023

Information from this partner

Found 33 results

Making wise choices about medicines

Learn about how to weigh up the pros & cons of taking a medicine & how to work with your health professional to make the right decisions for you.

Read more on NPS MedicineWise website

Can I mix this with that? What people are asking about complementary medicines - NPS MedicineWise

“Can I take my complementary medicine with my other medicines?” This and other top questions asked of the national Medicines Line service about complementary medicines have been revealed today at the Choosing Wisely 2019 Annual Meeting in Melbourne

Read more on NPS MedicineWise website

Vaccines and COVID-19

Updates on approved COVID-19 vaccines

Read more on NPS MedicineWise website

Treating my child’s pain or fever - paracetamol or ibuprofen? - NPS MedicineWise

Ibuprofen & paracetamol are two of the most commonly used over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to treat pain & fever in children. Find out which one to give & when. 

Read more on NPS MedicineWise website

How to give medicines to children - NPS MedicineWise

Learn how to give medicines safely to children, because small mistakes can cause big problems in little bodies. 

Read more on NPS MedicineWise website

Medicines for treating asthma

Asthma medicines can be classified as relievers, which work quickly to help with symptoms, and preventers, which help in the long run to reduce airway inflammation. Find out more about asthma medicines.

Read more on NPS MedicineWise website

Keeping children safe around medicines - NPS MedicineWise

If you are planning to spend time with others and there are young children about, please remember to keep your medicines out of sight and out of reach.

Read more on NPS MedicineWise website

Using medicines at school - NPS MedicineWise

You, your child and their teachers should all know what medicines your child takes, where they are kept and how to use them – especially in an emergency.

Read more on NPS MedicineWise website

Vaccines & immunisation

Read about immunisation & the vaccines available to protect you, your child & the community from infectious diseases such as hepatitis & whooping cough.

Read more on NPS MedicineWise website

For asthma – children are not small adults - NPS MedicineWise

With asthma, children are not small adults. Find out more about best practice management of children's asthma.

Read more on NPS MedicineWise website

Call us and speak to a Maternal Child Health Nurse for personal advice and guidance.

Need further advice or guidance from our maternal child health nurses?

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.

This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.

The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.

Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, this publication or any part of it may not be reproduced, altered, adapted, stored and/or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Healthdirect Australia.