Rapamycin has become a favorite among longevity enthusiasts. Now, some fertility specialists are prescribing it off-label to improve IVF outcomes, while others say the evidence isn't strong enough to justify its use
We seek to create a world where there are safer medications for all and where all people are fully informed about their medication benefits and side effects, using our explanatory and investigative journalism to both inform and stimulate public discussion to drive toward solutions.
For millions of women, fatigue, brain fog and feeling “off” is often dismissed as stress, depression or aging. New guidance suggests low ferritin could be the overlooked culprit
Coffee and tea can reduce iron absorption, but it’s not because of caffeine. Whether it matters depends on when you drink them, your iron levels, and your overall diet
The heavily marketed memory supplement has faced years of scrutiny over its science. It still became one of the best-known brain health products in America.
Once promoted as a COVID-19 treatment, ivermectin — along with the veterinary drug fenbendazole — is now being touted online as a cancer cure, driven by viral anecdotes and early research that scientists say falls far short of proof
Some breast cancer treatments can take a toll on the heart. Careful monitoring and consistent follow-up can help women detect complications before they become serious
Despite its widespread use, vitamin D remains one of the most hotly debated nutrients in medicine, especially when it comes to dosing, safety, and benefits
Widely used to treat acid reflux, proton pump inhibitors are often taken far longer than approved, raising new questions about potential links to cognitive decline
May 9, 2025
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The Weekly Wrap-Up
Independent reporting on drug recalls, medication safety and integrative health, including supplements. No pharma funding. No political ax to grind.
Medications can improve lives, but they can also come with risks. Our videos break down side effects, safety warnings, and the latest research so you can make more informed healthcare decisions.
Experts discuss whether it's safe to take GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic or Wegovy with Adderall, including considerations regarding delayed absorption, heart rate, blood pressure, and weight loss
Millions of Americans take statins to manage cholesterol. Here's what to know before adding CoQ10 to the mix — and why warfarin users should pay special attention
Coffee and tea can reduce iron absorption, but it’s not because of caffeine. Whether it matters depends on when you drink them, your iron levels, and your overall diet
While GLP-1 medications like Ozempic don’t directly interact with alcohol, experts say drinking can intensify side effects and complicate conditions such as diabetes or pancreatitis
The FDA’s drug recall system is meant to protect consumers, but inspection blind spots, manufacturing lapses, and slow communication can leave dangerous medications in circulation for months
In May, President Trump issued an executive order directing the FDA to conduct more surprise inspections of overseas drug manufacturing labs — a practice already underway but long hampered by logistical and diplomatic challenges
Statins lower cholesterol, but do they always protect against heart disease? Weighing the risks, benefits and side effects
May 23, 2025
From Our Founder
I started MedShadow Foundation in 2013 because I was harmed by a medicine called DES (diethylstilbestrol) that was given to my mother when she was pregnant with me. When I was 13, I learned that I would not ever be able to get pregnant because of the side effects of DES. The FDA told doctors to stop prescribing that drug to pregnant women in 1971, but between five and 10 million pregnant women had already been given it.
I’ll take medicine when I need to, but because of DES, I’m very hesitant. Instead, I pay close attention to eating whole foods and exercising regularly so that my immune system and my body are healthy. Not taking any drugs (when possible) is the best way to avoid harmful side effects.
Soon after I started MedShadow, DES Action approached me about taking over the management of their member organization. DES Action USA has been the leading advocate for those exposed to DES for more than 40 years.
Because of my work with MedShadow, I’ve learned a lot about how the FDA approves drugs. In 2017 I applied to and was appointed to the FDA Advisory Committee on Drug Safety and Risk Management. I joined a panel of doctors and pharmacists as the lone consumer representative. I’m so excited to have a seat at the table when the FDA is deciding if a drug is safe and effective enough to approve.
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We think it’s invaluable — and hope you agree. Our journalism is made possible by donations from readers like you.
As a nonprofit, we don’t take a dime from pharmaceutical or supplement companies. That means we can report on the benefits, risks, and alternatives to prescription and over-the-counter drugs free from corporate pressure or influence.
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