How do I cite drug information from UpToDate?
Answer
APA 7th edition provides an example for citing articles in UpToDate; however, drug information is often proprietary and uses the group author element and missing information, or n.d. for "no date." Check out the example below for Aspirin: Drug information.
Reference List Example:
Lexicomp. (n.d.). Aspirin: Drug information. UpToDate. Retrieved March 12, 2020, from https://www-uptodate-com.libproxy.csudh.edu/contents/aspirin-drug-information
Here’s a brief explanation of each element in the reference citation:
- Author – Since drug information is provided by a company rather than associated with any individual authors, use the name of the drug company (e.g. Lexicomp) as a group author.
- Date – Since there is no specific date of publication listed, use n.d. for "no date."
- Title – Use the title of the drug information article as it appears.
- Source – Typically, database information isn’t necessary in an APA 7th edition. However, UpToDate includes original, proprietary content so it would be listed in the source element and italicized.
- Retrieval Date – Typically, retrieval dates aren't necessary in APA 7th edition. However, since drug information provided in this database is designed to change over time, you would still include a retrieval date using the Month, Day Year format of when you accessed the information.
- URL – Include the CSUDH Library subscription link to UpToDate content.