Shedding Light on the Risks
& Benefits of Medications
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
Apr 30, 2026
When a political promise outpaces science, families start making decisions based on evidence that never existed
Apr 22, 2026
Widely used off-label to steady nerves, beta-blockers can blunt the body’s stress response. But the evidence is limited, the benefits are specific, and the risks — while often low — are real
Apr 16, 2026
In medicine, “do your own research” sounds empowering, but too often, it becomes a shortcut to misinformation, fear, and false certainty
Apr 1, 2026
Online teleprescribing platforms promise fast access to medication. Critics say the model can bypass safeguards and leave patients in the dark about risks
Mar 26, 2026
After decades of debate, politicians of all stripes are proposing bans
Mar 2, 2026
A large Lancet review finds little evidence for most risks, but some researchers say limited access to the data raises questions
Feb 19, 2026
OTC painkillers are widely seen as safe. But frequent, unsupervised use can sometimes make chronic pain harder to treat
Jan 22, 2026
In response to a MedShadow investigation, patients describe how inconsistent opioid quality can turn daily life upside down, and why many are afraid to report it
Jan 13, 2026
Diphenhydramine is linked to severe and sometimes fatal side effects, yet remains widely sold over the counter. Physicians argue that safer alternatives exist, and question why the drug is still so easy to buy
Jan 6, 2026
Comments from the Commissioner signal that the agency is preparing to reduce clinical trial requirements. Independent experts say the change may increase the risk of ineffective or unsafe drugs reaching the market
Dec 17, 2025
The FDA must pair the removal of the Black Box warning with clear, visible prescribing guidance. Without it, women are left unprotected
Nov 18, 2025
Most over-the-counter medications were never tested for bioavailability or bioequivalence, leaving key questions unanswered about how well they work
Nov 19, 2025
The FDA approved a second non-hormonal hot-flash drug in October. Here’s what the clinical trials can tell us about it
Dec 2, 2025
From San Francisco to small town Colorado, pharmacy closures are leaving residents without easy access to care, and communities without one of their most trusted health lifelines
Nov 10, 2025
Marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, Zyn and other oral nicotine pouches are hooking a new generation of users, and may be causing side effects not yet fully understood
Oct 16, 2025
A government warning has raised new questions, but the evidence is mixed and misunderstood
Sep 25, 2025
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
Aug 27, 2025
Updates to the FDA’s Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) will be more frequent, but they don’t tell the whole story
Aug 25, 2025
The policy, known as step therapy, requires some patients to try lower-cost medications before insurers approve the treatment their doctor prescribed
Jul 21, 2025
Learn about your medications and treatment options straight from independent experts.
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