Mosby's Drug Reference vs Mosbys PDQ for RN
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Mosby's Drug Reference
This app provides healthcare professionals with comprehensive drug information, including actions, usage, dosage, interactions, and side effects. It emphasizes patient safety with Black Box Warnings, Safety Alerts, and information on life-threatening side effects. Features include custom notes, highlights, and quick search functionality.
- Over 5,000 drug listings
- Black Box Warnings and Safety Alerts
- Drug action, usage, dosage, interactions, side effects
- Custom notes and highlights
- Full text search
- Appendix of recent FDA-approvals
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14-Day Free Trial ** Trusted by Health Care Professionals for Over 30 Years ** ABOUT MOSBY’S DRUG REFERENCE Based on the latest edition, Mosby's Drug Reference provides health care professionals with the tools they need to eliminate errors and improve accuracy. Drug monographs feature concise, easy-to-understand information and make finding answers easy with sections on each drug's action, usage, dosage, interactions, side effects, and more. With an emphasis on patient safety, this best-selling app includes Black Box Warnings for dangerous adverse reactions, Safety Alerts for situations requiring special attention, and a focus on life-threatening side effects of 50 common drug classes. FEATURES • More than 5,000 generic and trade-name drugs are profiled • Appendix of recent FDA-approvals • Icons for High Alert and Rarely Used medications • Highlighted Black Box Warnings, safety alerts, and life-threatening side effects • Helpful IV therapy updates • Create custom notes and highlights within entries • 150+ abbreviations listed for practical understanding • Unlabeled uses and help with easily confused drug names • Full Text Search helps find medications quickly • “Favorites” for bookmarking important entries FREE 14-DAY TRIAL: WHAT TO EXPECT • First-time users can access Unbound's complete Mosby's Drug Reference mobile app free for 14 days • After 14 days, your iTunes account will be charged $45.99 for a one-year subscription unless you have turned off auto-renew at least 24 hours before the free trial ends. • To manage your subscriptions, open Apple's “Settings” app and tap on the “iTunes & App Store" entry. Tap your Apple ID at the top of the screen and login. Tap subscriptions, then tap the subscription you wish to manage. •NOTE: If you choose not to purchase a subscription, content will no longer be viewable after the free trial period. iTunes automatic renewal: Your subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off 24 hours prior to the conclusion of your current period. Auto Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. Your iTunes account will automatically be charged the current renewal rate ($45.99) within 24 hours prior to the end of the subscription period. If you choose not to renew, you will be able to use the app, however will not receive updates. Authors: Linda Skidmore-Roth, RN, MSN, NP Publisher: Elsevier Powered by: Unbound Medicine Unbound Privacy Policy: www.unboundmedicine.com/privacy Unbound Terms of Use: https://www.unboundmedicine.com/end_user_license_agreement
Mosbys PDQ for RN
Access essential nursing facts, formulas, lab values, and procedures quickly. This guide offers concise information for clinical settings, including special populations and emergency care. It features updated content reflecting the latest developments and assessment tools.
- Quick access to essential nursing facts
- Formulas, lab values, and procedures
- Information for pediatric, maternity, and geriatric patients
- Emergency care guidelines
- Updated clinical developments and drug information
- New assessment tools
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"Try before you buy" - Download the FREE App, which includes sample content. In-App purchase required to unlock all content. An easy-to-use guide to the hundreds of important nursing facts, formulas, lab values, procedures, ECG info and many more. Find essential nursing information at a glance! Mosby’s PDQ for RN: Practical Detailed Quick is an easy-to-use concise guide to important facts formulas and procedures used in the clinical setting. It offers quick access to details you need but don’t usually memorize such as signs and symptoms medications conversions abbreviations and normal/abnormal ranges for lab tests. When in doubt check this handy reference! New to this edition * NEW! Expanded coverage addresses oxygen delivery, hypoglycemic drugs, cardiac rhythms (STEMI), seizure treatment, breath sounds, and more. * NEW assessment tools are included for pain, nutrition, and alcohol abuse. * UPDATED content reflects the latest clinical developments, screening guidelines, and drug information. Key Features * Sections provide quick access to essential facts, formulas, lab values, procedures, and more. * Easy to access on any iOS device and use in any clinical setting. * A focus on special populations includes separate sections on pediatric, maternity, and geriatric patients. * Emergency Care section provides guidelines for treating stroke patients, assessing trauma patients, and responding to cardiopulmonary arrest. * HIPAA- and OSHA- compliant information reflects the latest practice standards and guidelines. * Colorful charts and tables make lookup easy, and data is thorough enough for even experienced practicing nurses. ISBN 10: 0323400280 ISBN 13: 9780323400282 SUBSCRIPTION : Please purchase a yearly auto-renewing subscription to receive content access and available updates. Yearly auto-renewing payments- $24.99 Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Subscription may be managed by the user and auto-renewal can be disabled at any time by going to your device “Settings” and tapping “iTunes & App Store”. Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription, where applicable. If you have any questions or comments, email us any time: customersupport@skyscape.com or call 508-299-3000 Privacy Policy - https://www.skyscape.com/terms-of-service/privacypolicy.aspx Terms and Conditions - https://www.skyscape.com/terms-of-service/licenseagreement.aspx Publisher: Elsevier Health Sciences Company
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Mosbys PDQ for RN at 100% against Mosby's Drug Reference's 32%. Mosbys PDQ for RN also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and update cadence (every 4 months vs every 9 months). Mosby's Drug Reference's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (235 vs 3). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Mosby's Drug Reference sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $45.99 per year and Mosbys PDQ for RN sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $18.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Mosbys PDQ for RN holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mosby's Drug Reference has 235 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 32% of Mosby's Drug Reference's written reviews are positive against 100% of Mosbys PDQ for RN's.
Mosby's Drug Reference ships an update every 9 months, Mosbys PDQ for RN every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Mosby's Drug Reference | Mosbys PDQ for RN |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (235 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 31.8% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 235 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | Every 4 months — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 149 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Unbound Medicine, Inc. | Skyscape Medpresso Inc |
Customer experience
Mosby's Drug Reference
Mosbys PDQ for RN
Bugs and requests
Mosby's Drug Reference
Reported bugs
1 issue- Every time I search norco or hydrocodone hydrochlorothiazide comes up
Requested features
3 requests- Version for people in the dental field
- Create an app version for dental drug reference
- Separate favorites list for users and spouses
Mosbys PDQ for RN
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Mosby's Drug Reference
- Mosby's Drug Reference14 Days trial$45.991 Year
Mosbys PDQ for RN
- 25% Off Limited Period Offer$18.991 Year
- 20% Off Limited Period Offer$19.991 Year
- 15% Off Limited Period Offer$21.491 Year
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- Mosby's PDQ for RN 1/Y Sub7 Days trial$24.991 Year
Questions
Is Mosby's Drug Reference free?
Is Mosbys PDQ for RN free?
Which has better reviews, Mosby's Drug Reference or Mosbys PDQ for RN?
Do Mosby's Drug Reference or Mosbys PDQ for RN have ads?
Which is updated more often, Mosby's Drug Reference or Mosbys PDQ for RN?
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