Two More Useful Alternatives to Epocrates 

Number 2:  Micromedex

If you still find that LexiComp is too steep to pay for, Micromedex is a more promising solution for you.  This application is substantially cheaper than UpToDate, Epocrates, or LexiComp and a user will have a strong database of medications and dosages to search through.   A user will also have the added bonus of learning about pharmacokinetics that are not a main focus of either Epocrates or LexiComp.  This could be perfect for the inquisitive physicians that are interested in why a medication works.   

A user also has the option of upgrading their membership to a more detailed version that also includes case studies, drug management components, and potential interactions with other harmful medications.  This is a perfect app for a toxicologist or Internist who both come in contact with a cocktail of medications on a daily basis.  

I feel that the concept of pharmocokinetics is an under appreciated aspect that is very useful to learn when managing your patients.  During my medical training, I was taught that there were two types of doctors:  those who memorize the diseases and treatments and those who understand the pathological processes occurring and what medications are the most likely to be effective based on what receptors are targeted.  This is a much easier generalization to make if you don't consider the hard work that must go into mastering Medicine at that level.  A young doctor is similar to a "deer looking at headlights" and it is only natural for them to try to make useful connections between diseases and treatments in order to treat a patient.  You may not remember all the physiology that occurs after a heart attack but you know that you better be giving him an ACEi, a B-blocker, a statin, and some Aspirin or else the attending will make your life miserable for the next month.  As you gain more experience and feel you can finally breath, it is important to relearn the pharmocokinetics to fully appreciate what you are doing.  It makes it much easier to educate patients on why you select specific treatments and more important, provides you with some insurance if you stumble into a malpractice case against your team.  

Number 3:  Medscape

If Number 1 and Number 2 fail to meet your expectations, than the last app that could be a useful alternative would be Medscape.  This application is called a poor man’s UpToDate which is not necessarily a bad thing if you are the one needing to buy your own membership.  It covers a wide-array of medical elements and you will have a comprehensive breakdown of common presentations, differential diagnoses, diagnostic tests, treatment options, and further managements.  

READ Medscape App - Medical Resource Database Used By Most Healthcare Professionals

Medscape, itself, is entirely free and only a few upgrades that are not necessary to obtain the benefits of the application are available. It has been described as having a drug database as easy to use and comprehensive as Epocrates.  This is a great thing considering the cost difference between the two, (the best things in life are free, after all).  A user also has the ability to use the application without an internet connection so it can be useful in the OR or other interior rooms in the hospital where the internet connections are weak.  

Unlike Epocrates and UpToDate, however, this application is not always utilizing the most current evidence-based studies and some of content may be outdated.  As you can see with any of the three apps listed, all are comparable to Epocrates on a few aspects but none have the total package of that same information with the most current gold-standards in some cases.  Nevertheless, gold-standards do not change overnight and these applications are useful alternatives that are more cost-conscious if the medical budget is depleted at your hospital.