Researchers: Wikipedia Leaves Out Important Prescription Drug Information

Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia where posters can post and edit the entries, may be a great place to find some obscure information, but not to research prescription drugs in lieu of consulting with a physician or pharmacist, officials said.

Entries on the site may exclude important information about life-threatening side effects and drug interactions, said researchers from Nova Southeastern University in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

The researchers set out to test the accuracy of Wikipedia pages because many Internet searchers are looking for information on over-the-counter and prescription drugs and Wikipedia is often the first site found with a Google search.

While Wikipedia can be a valuable resource for information on prescription and over-the-counter drugs, entries on the site should not serve as a patient’s only source of information regarding drug side effects or drug interactions, researchers said.

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