Question: Can you tell me how to cite MedlinePlus pages?

Answer:

If you are citing MedlinePlus because you are linking to the site or using data from our XML files or Web service, please indicate that the information or links are from MedlinePlus.gov.

If you are citing an individual page on MedlinePlus, the National Library of Medicine recommends the citation style below, based upon Citing Medicine.

Homepage

MedlinePlus [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [updated 2005 Aug 12; cited 2005 August 11]. Available from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/.

Health Topic page

Begin by citing the MedlinePlus homepage, then add information about the topic being cited:

MedlinePlus [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [updated 2005 Aug 12]. Heart attack; [updated 2005 Jul 19; reviewed 2005 May 4; cited 2005 Aug 12]; [about 2 p.]. Available from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/heartattack.html

Drug Information from AHFS Consumer Medication Information (formerly MedMaster)

Begin by citing the AHFS Consumer Medication Information database, then add information about the drug being cited:

AHFS Consumer Medication Information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc.; ©2008. Protriptyline; [revised 2007 Aug 1; reviewed 2007 Aug 1; cited 2008 Oct 2]; [about 5 p.]. Available from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a604025.html

Herb and Supplement Information from Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version

Begin by citing Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version, then add information about the entry being cited:

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version [Internet]. Stockton (CA): Therapeutic Research Faculty; ©1995-    . Clove; [reviewed 2010 Aug 5; cited 2010 Sep 30]; [about 4 p.]. Available from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/251.html

Encyclopedia

Begin by citing the A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia, then add information about the entry being cited:

A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia [Internet]. Atlanta (GA): A.D.A.M., Inc.; ©2005. Nail abnormalities; [updated 2005 Apr 30; cited 2005 Aug 12]; [about 4 p.]. Available from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003247.htm

Dictionary

Begin by citing the dictionary, then add information about the term being cited:

Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary [Internet]. [Springfield (MA)]: Merriam-Webster, Incorporated; ©2003. Phagocytosis; ©2003 [cited 2005 Aug 12]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: http://www2.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/mwmednlm&book=Medical&va=phagocytosis.

News articles

New articles are provided by HealthDay and Reuters Health. The sample citations use Reuters Health stories.

• Signed article Begin with the author and title of the news item, then add information about the news organization/provider:
  
  Boggs W. Therapy for depression can help minority women [Internet]. [New York]: Reuters; 2005 Aug 9 [cited 2005 Aug 12]. [about 2 screens]. Available from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_26229.html
  
  
• Unsigned article Begin by citing the news organization/provider, then add information about the news item being cited:
  
  Reuters Health Information [Internet]. [New York]: Reuters; ©2005. Asthma may increase stroke risk; 2005 Aug 9 [cited 2005 Aug 12]; [about 1 screen]. Available from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_26231.html

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