Support : Dialog Search Aids : EMBASE: Searching Drug Names

EMBASE (Dialog Files 72, 73): Searching Drug Names

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Indexing

All EMBASE items are indexed with thesaurus-controlled descriptors. The EMBASE thesaurus, EMTREE, includes medical terms, drug names, acronyms, MeSH^® subject headings and spelling variations. Synonyms assigned by indexers are automatically translated to the corresponding EMTREE Preferred Term. Use the generic (preferred) term when searching an individual drug. For instance, items about "acetaminophen" or "4 acetamidophenol" (an EMTREE synonyms) are indexed using the Preferred Term "paracetamol".

When an article mentions a drug for which there is not an EMTREE term, the drug group name is indexed and the term UNCLASSIFIED DRUG is added as a descriptor. This enables retrieval of articles on rare or new drugs by combining the drug class name and the term UNCLASSIFIED DRUG in a search statement, e.g., SELECT CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKING AGENT AND UNCLASSIFIED DRUG/DE. A new drug can also be searched by name in the entire Basic Index without a suffix, e.g., SELECT GRANISETRON OR BRL(W)43694.

Although descriptors are always EMTREE Preferred Terms (or candidate terms), a separate field is available for Drug Trade Names (/TN, TN=). This field is used to index laboratory and research codes as well as registered trade names. However, when a drug trade name is indexed, a corresponding EMTREE-controlled drug descriptor is always also indexed. In some cases this is the same term (for example when a generic name or chemical is not yet known for the drug), but if possible a generic name is used as the Preferred Term.

Example 1
Items that mention the anti-migraine drug Imigran have this term indexed as a trade name. However, the term sumatriptan succinate (Preferred Term of Imigran) is indexed as a drug descriptor.

Example 2
The beta blocker propranolol is known under a variety of trade names including Dociton and Inderal, which are indexed in the Drug Trade Name field in items which cite them. Other items on propranolol may contain other trade names, or even no trade names at all, if none are mentioned. But all are indexed using the descriptor propranolol.

EMTREE Preferred Terms can be searched specifically as descriptors, but searches need not be restricted to the descriptor field. Results are enhanced in both cases: when searched as descriptors since all synonyms are translated to the Preferred Term and in unrestricted free text searches because such searches normally include the descriptor field.

It is essential that the Preferred Term is identified before the search is carried out. To find out whether a term is an EMTREE Preferred Term, use the online thesaurus or the printed EMTREE. To find the generic or preferred name of a drug, EXPAND the drug name within parentheses in the online thesaurus:

?EXPAND (UROCIT K)

Ref   Items Type  RT  Index-term
R1       14        1 *UROCIT K
R2      405   U   17  CITRATE POTASSIUM

As shown in the above display, CITRATE POTASSIUM is the preferred term for UROCIT K. Additional synonyms, decriptor codes, CAS Registry Numbers, and trade names for the drug can be obtained by EXPANDing the R number of the preferred term (R2):

?EXPAND R2

Ref  Items Type  RT  Index-term
R1     405       17 *CITRATE POTASSIUM
R2   15304           DC=D2.30.60.20.40.20 (CARBOXYLIC ACID
R3    8577           DC=D2.30.60.20.40.60 (TRICARBOXYLIC A
R4   66974           DC=D4.145 (CARBOXYLIC ACIDS AND THEIR
R5       7   B   61  CARBOXYLIC ACID SALT
R6       1   B   45  CARBOXYLIC ACIDS AND THEIR DERIVATIVE
R7     222   B   23  TRICARBOXYLIC ACID
R8       0   S    1  CITRATE TRIPOTASSIUM
R9       0   S    1  DIPOTASSIUM CITRATE
R10      1   S    1  EFFERCITRATE
R11      0   S    1  MONOPOTASSIUM CITRATE
R12      2   S    1  POTASSIUM CITRATE
R13     17   S    1  UROCIT
R14     14   S    1  UROCIT K
R15    405   S    1  RN=3609-96-9
R16    405   S    1  RN=7778-49-6
R17    405   S    1  RN=866-83-1
R18    405   S    1  RN=866-84-2

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DESCRIPTORS (ALL) (/DE, /DF)

Descriptors are subject index terms and phrases assigned to each record to characterize the substantive content of the original document. All records in EMBASE are searchable using descriptors taken from the EMTREE Thesaurus, published by Excerpta Medica. /DF is used to restrict retrieval to the single-word descriptor, e.g., S IBUPROFEN/DF.

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DESCRIPTORS (DRUG) (/DD, /DE)

For greater flexibility in searching, EMTREE terms applied to drugs are searchable with the /DD suffix or with the /DE suffix. Drug descriptors are searchable as single words, using proximity operators, or as complete phrases with the /DD suffix:

?SELECT HYDROCORTISONE(W)ACETATE/DD

?SELECT AMOXICILLIN PLUS CLAVULANIC ACID/DD

?TYPE S3/TI,DD

Clozapine and sudden death (multiple letters)
DRUG DESCRIPTORS:

*clozapine--adverse drug reaction--ae; *clozapine--drug 
concentration--cr; *clozapine--drug dose--do; 
*clozapine--drug therapy--;dt; amoxicillin plus 
clavulanic acid --drug therapy--dt; cytochrome P450 3A
--endogenous compound--ec; eosinophil cationic protein
--endogenous compound --ec; heparin--drug therapy--dt;
muscarinic M2 receptor--; endogenous compound--ec;
ozone; phenacetin o deethylase--endogenous 
compound--ec

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USE OF DRUG LINKS

Drug descriptors may be subdivided by means of topical subheadings or links. Links are used to restrict retrieval to precisely the aspect of the topic desired, such as DRUG TOXICITY. Links may be used only with allowable categories of EMTREE descriptors.

Links or subheadings included in the Descriptor field are searchable as single words (e.g., SELECT COMPLICATION/DE) or as complete phrases (e.g., SELECT DRUG INTERACTION/DE). Use the (L) operator to link the main heading and subheading. Subheadings are also searchable by two-letter abbreviation, as shown in the following example using AE for ADVERSE DRUG REACTION:

?SELECT THEOPHYLLINE(L)AE

?TYPE S6/TI,DE

Seizures and multifocal tachycardia caused by 
theophylline

DRUG DESCRIPTORS: *theophylline--drug toxicity--to; 
*theophylline--adverse drug reaction--ae 
salbutamol--drug therapy--dt; ipratropium bromide--drug 
therapy--dt MEDICAL DESCRIPTORS: *seizure--etiology--
et; *seizure--side effect--si; *tachycardia--;
etiology--et; *tachycardia--side effect--si 
asthma--drug therapy--dt; human; female; case 
report; aged; oral drug administration; 
inhalational drug administration; letter

New drug links focusing on "Routes of Drug Administration" have been added. These new links are used whenever the appropriate concept is mentioned in the original document. The complete list of new drug links with abbreviations can be found at: http://support.dialog.com/searchaids/dialog/f72_drug_links.shtml

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DRUG BRAND NAME (/TN, TN=)

Drug brand or proprietary names mentioned in an article are indexed in the Drug Brand Name field. Brand names are searchable as single words, using proximity operators, or as complete phrases with the /TN suffix or TN= prefix.

?SELECT MAALOX(W)PLUS/TN

?SELECT "OXASTPH/FLOXAPEN"/TN

?TYPE S3/TI,TN/1

Which way in the labyrinth of the newer penicillins?

BRAND NAME/MANUFACTURER NAME: ectencillin/didocil; 
penstapho/staphylex; penadur/didoxypen; 
cloxypen/ampibel/dexacillin; celbenin/maclicine;
penstapho n/penbritin/nalpen; oxastph/floxapen;
orbenin/pentrexyl/vericycline

For comprehensive retrieval, SELECT alternative forms of entry:

?SELECT (NEO(W)BIPHYLLIN OR NEOBIPHYLLIN)/TN

?TYPE S4/TI, TN/2,34

Comparison of bronchodilator activities of two 
pharmacologically different sustained release 
preparations

  BRAND NAME/MANUFACTURER NAME: neobiphyllin; 
pulmidur Bronchial asthma - causal and symptomatic 
treatment BRAND NAME/MANUFACTURER NAME: intal; 
aldecin; lomudal; becotide; zaditen; multergan; 
neo biphyllin; atrovent; ventolin; wytrion;
berotec; tacitin; bricanyl; fluimucil

Since 1988, trade names have been linked to manufacturer names, when provided by the author. Linked names are searchble using the (L) operator:

?SELECT SYNAREL(L)SYNTEX/TN

?TYPE S7/TI,TN

Elective transfer of one embryo results in an acceptable 
pregnancy rate and eliminates the risk of multiple birth

BRAND NAME/MANUFACTURER NAME: synarel /Syntex /Finland; 
suprecur/Hoechst/Germany; fertinorm/Serono/Switzerland; 
gonal f/Serono/Switzerland; profasi/Serono/Switzerland; 
puregon/Organon/Netherlands; pregnyl/Organon/Netherlands; 
lugesteron/Leiras/Finland

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