Which publication contains detailed monographs and chemical characteristics of drugs?

The United States Pharmacopeia/National Formulary (USP/NF) is the authoritative publication that provides comprehensive monographs and detailed chemical characteristics of drugs. It serves as a critical resource for pharmacists, ensuring that the medications dispensed meet specific standards for purity, strength, and quality.

The monographs in the USP/NF include information on a drug's identity, strength, quality, and dosage form, along with pharmacological and toxicological details. This publication sets the standards for various substances, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, and is recognized by the FDA as an official compendium.

Other options, while valuable in their own right, serve different purposes. The Drug Topics Red Book is primarily focused on pricing information and does not provide in-depth chemical characteristics of drugs. Drug Facts and Comparisons offers a drug information reference for healthcare professionals, emphasizing drug comparisons but lacking the detailed monographs found in the USP/NF. The Handbook on Injectable Drugs is specialized for injectable medications and does not cover the broader range of drugs or their detailed characteristics as thoroughly as the USP/NF does. Thus, the USP/NF stands out as the best source for drug monographs and chemical properties.