Author: Nick Barber

Pharmacology

Published on 28 May 2026 by PAN MACMILLAN (Bluebird) in the United Kingdom.

Hardback | 288 pages
244 x 164 | 490g

'This book will change lives. It has changed mine.' Yasmin Alibhai-BrownHow do you know if the medicine you’re taking is right for you?Should you worry about side effects, and, if so, how much?And how can you advocate for a loved one when it comes to being prescribed medication?In How to Take Drugs, world-renowned pharmaceutical expert Dr Nick Barber answers these questions and more, explaining how medicines actually work on your body, how they’re tested, and why they are often so much less effective than you might think.

Dr. Barber’s clear ‘Avoid, Kiss, Marry, Divorce’ framework offers a practical guide for evaluating how your medication is working, and offers solutions – whether you’re taking medicines now, facing a new diagnosis, or supporting others with their healthcare.

In a world full of contradictory medical information and concerns around over-prescription, it is an essential, eye-opening read.

'Likely to be the kind of book we should all have chained to our wrists, given the sheer amount of prescription medicines we are likely to consume in a lifetime.' - New Scientist 'A lively and empowering read, full of deftly explained science, good humour and humanity.' - Dr Lucy Pollock, author of The Book About Getting Older