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About MedlinePlus

MedlinePlus is the National Institutes of Health's Web site for patients and their families and friends. Produced by the National Library of Medicine, it brings you information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language you can understand. MedlinePlus offers reliable, up-to-date health information, anytime, anywhere, for free.

You can use MedlinePlus to learn about the latest treatments, look up information on a drug or supplement, find out the meanings of words, or view medical videos or illustrations. You can also get links to the latest medical research on your topic or find out about clinical trials on a disease or condition.

A Message from the Director

Color photo of Dr. Donald A.B. Lindberg and grandson at computer

Dr. Donald A.B. Lindberg, Director, National Library of Medicine

View Dr. Lindberg's welcome (Quicktime video 1.2 MB, 51 seconds)

Welcome to MedlinePlus, a goldmine of good health information from the world's largest medical library, the National Library of Medicine. Health professionals and consumers alike can depend on it for information that is authoritative and up-to-date. MedlinePlus has extensive information from the National Institutes of Health and other trusted sources on over 900 diseases and conditions. There are directories, a medical encyclopedia and a medical dictionary, easy-to-understand tutorials on common conditions, tests, and treatments, health information in Spanish, extensive information on prescription and nonprescription drugs, health information from the media, and links to thousands of clinical trials. MedlinePlus is updated daily and can be bookmarked at the URL: http://medlineplus.gov/. There is no advertising on this site, nor does MedlinePlus endorse any company or product.

I hope you enjoy your visit and find the information you need. I invite you to use the link at the top of every page to send us your comments.