Shedding Light on the Risks
& Benefits of Medications
Last year, at my daughter Sawyer’s 8-week appointment, the nurse administered her first round of vaccinations. As the needle pricked her skin, she let out a…
Oct 22, 2024
One of Ellen Smith’s favorite activities is to walk with her service dog Velma along the bay near her home in North Scituate, RI. The…
Feb 6, 2025
If you’ve seen the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, you may recall the fearsome side effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), as famously depicted by…
Jan 7, 2016
If you visit the doctor from time to time for anything other than a routine checkup, it’s likely that at some point you’ve received a…
Jul 29, 2020
In early September 2024, an Associated Press (AP) investigation revealed that the FDA has struggled to keep up with lab inspections, especially those based overseas. The agency faces…
Nov 13, 2024
Eight years ago, Lisa Salberg, now 56, received a heart transplant at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in New Jersey after living with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (a heart…
Jun 19, 2025
Since MedShadow began publishing our investigative series on quality issues with generic ADHD medications, thousands of people have commented on our TikTok account about their own experiences, and many…
Sep 29, 2025
During your first visit to the dentist’s office, you may have noticed a medical history and medications section in your file. Your dentist will collect…
May 16, 2024
Since the early 1900s, the federal government has attempted to regulate narcotics and other drugs with a potential for abuse or dependence (whether for medical or recreational…
May 8, 2025
On May 5, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order aimed at increasing domestic medication production. In addition to removing regulatory barriers for domestic manufacturers, the order…
Jun 10, 2025
On Friday, August 22, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in a press release that it would begin updating its Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) in…
Aug 25, 2025
When sold in supplement form, melatonin is often marketed as a common over-the-counter sleep aid. However, individuals taking prescription Ambien (zolpidem) should consult with a physician before taking…
Dec 5, 2024
Community pharmacists (those who work in retail pharmacies) are uniquely qualified to provide fast, accurate, and reliable medication advice. And pharmacists have long been regarded…
Nov 10, 2025
When Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the newly appointed head of U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS), promised an era of “radical transparency” on February 13th, many…
Mar 13, 2025
Pain was one of the first sensations Brandy, 44, remembers. Born with spina bifida occulta, a defect that kept part of her spine from fully…
Nov 3, 2025
Chances are you’ve reached for acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), two of the most common over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, at some point in your life.…
Nov 18, 2025
Welcome to the FDA Side Effects Update. This series is designed to keep you informed about the latest safety advisories and newly documented side effects…
Nov 12, 2025
The Trump administration sparked much speculation about what the nominees to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Disease Control…
Feb 25, 2025
In July 2023, Lara Martin visited the emergency room in Humboldt County, California, with what she suspected was a urinary tract infection. Martin, who had…
Mar 21, 2025
Drug Classification Schedule Chart created for the article:Drug Classifications, Schedule I, II, III, IV, V
Jul 8, 2022