Either way, such a volume simply could not be as practical and useful as either the two independent volumes of the Physician's Desk Reference or the single and easily navigable website run by Medline Plus. This website's search-ability allows for an easier cross-referencing between pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements, as well, without trying to keep a book open to several pages at once. Cost is also a major factor in the two references. Though older editions of the Physician's Desk Reference can be found relatively cheaply (ironically, via online shopping), the current edition costs almost one hundred dollars purchased new. Medline Plus is free, making the cost benefit of this option at least equal to the benefits derived from ease of use and completeness of information. On this last point, the Physician's Desk Reference often contains more detailed information on various drugs, but these details are presented in a very dry and uninteresting manner, which can be difficult for non-medical practitioners to follow. Medline Plus seems to have been designed more for laypersons, so what it lacks in detail it more than makes up for in effectiveness, and all the necessary...

In addition, Medline Plus is able to offer longer, paragraph-style discussions of the drugs it lists, and does not always suffer from a lack of detail when compared to the book reference.
Evidence of this is seen in a comparison of specific entries in the two references. Looking up both ibuprofen and Allegra (fexofenadine) reveals the benefits and limitations of both references. Both present symptoms for which each drug is prescribed and common brand names: Allegra is the only brand name for fexofenadine, but Ibuprofen is commonly sold as Advil; the first is an allergy medication, the second a general pain reliever and fever reducer. Both references also list common side effects and interaction warnings. Medline Plus, however, also presents all of this information as if in response to specific consumer questions, rather than in a simple list of facts as in the Physician's Desk Reference. Though this reference is still the standard of the industry, the fact that it is mainly directed towards physicians (cf. The title) makes it less easy to use. Overall, Medline Plus is a more effective resource for the average user today.