INVESTIGATING GENERICS: The Trouble With Generic Vyvanse
Fourteen companies now make generic lisdexamfetamine, an ADHD medication, but some patients say the pills don’t work, and two manufacturers have already issued recalls
Jul 28, 2025Menu
Shedding Light on the Risks
& Benefits of Medications
Shedding Light on the Risks
& Benefits of Medications Conditions & Treatments
ADHD
INVESTIGATING GENERICS: They Say Their ADHD Meds Aren’t Working. They’re Not Imagining It
Shortages, recalls, and drug variability have left people living with ADHD feeling unheard and unwell, even when they take their meds exactly as prescribed
May 30, 2025
Have We Been Thinking of ADHD All Wrong?
With diagnoses at a record high, some experts have begun to question our assumptions about the condition — and how to treat it
May 20, 2025
Are Your ADHD Meds Keeping You Up at Night?
People with ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) have a harder time falling asleep — in part, says Dr.
Nov 12, 2024Allergies
Benadryl Has Been Trusted for Decades. Many Doctors Say It Shouldn’t Be
Diphenhydramine is linked to severe and sometimes fatal side effects, yet remains widely sold over the counter.
Jan 6, 2026
US Pollen Allergy Map
Pollen Allergy
Mar 19, 2015Alzheimer's/Dementia
The Regulatory Loopholes Behind Prevagen’s Rise
The heavily marketed memory supplement has faced years of scrutiny over its science.
May 7, 2026
The PPI Debate: Are Heartburn Drugs Like Prilosec and Nexium Linked to Dementia?
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
Side Effects of the New Alzheimer’s Drugs
New FDA-approved Alzheimer's drugs — Aduhelm, Leqembi, and Kisunla — have shown side effects, including brain bleeds and swelling.
Jul 11, 2024
The Link Between Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Common Meds
If you are 60+, stop taking these drugs now
Jul 17, 2019Anesthesia
Going Under: Potential Side Effects of General Anesthesia
Anesthetics, and in particular the inhaled ones used to put patients “under” for surgery, are considered one of the most important medical…
Oct 15, 2018Antibiotics
The Unsettling Truth About Ciprofloxacin: A Wonder Drug’s Darker Side
This widely used antibiotic comes with serious risks—so why do doctors keep prescribing it?
Mar 21, 2025
Pros & Cons of Antibiotics
Can antibiotics cure the coronavirus? No. What about from the regular flu?
Mar 4, 2020
What To Do If You Have Allergic Reactions To Antibiotics?
What started out as a few pinprick-sized dots on my forearms on Christmas Day turned into a huge allergic reaction that would…
Jun 13, 2019
Floxed! The Painful, Life-Lasting Effects of Some Antibiotics
Last week, we ran a news story on antibiotics causing “rare” damages to people.
Apr 3, 2018Antidepressants
To Grieve Is to Grow Stronger
After losing both her sister and niece to alcoholism, Suzanne Robotti reflects on mourning, medication, and the difficult work of living with loss
Jun 8, 2026
Life on SSRIs: The Good, the Bad, and the Complicated
From life-saving results to life-altering side effects, real people share what it’s like to use antidepressants
Aug 14, 2025
Blunted Before They Can Bloom: SSRIs and Sexual Side Effects in Adolescents
SSRIs are often prescribed during adolescence, but research suggests the consequences for sexual health can last long after the meds are gone
Jul 9, 2025
Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction: How to Protect Yourself From This Side Effect
Sexual dysfunction has been a known side effect of SSRIs for some time, but the length of that dysfunction is often much longer than many realize
Oct 8, 2024Anxiety & Depression
6 Things To Know About Antidepressant Ketamine
Two decades ago, ketamine was known as two things: an anesthetic used in pet surgery and a party drug nicknamed “special K”…
Jan 26, 2021
Anxiety Is a Surprisingly Common Side Effect of Many Medicines
Feeling anxious? Check your medicine cabinet. There are millions of reasons why you might be feeling more anxious than usual, from big…
Jan 11, 2021
Suicidal Ideation: It May be Your Medications
Shortly after she was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, Sarah Lawrence was prescribed Otezla (apremilast).
Dec 30, 2020
4 Drugs That Interact with Anxiety Meds, Benzodiazepines
If you suffer from anxiety, panic disorder, or insomnia, your doctor may have prescribed you what’s known as benzodiazepines (or benzos).
Jul 6, 2020Autism
We Promised Parents a Miracle Autism Treatment. Then We Took It Away
When a political promise outpaces science, families start making decisions based on evidence that never existed
Apr 22, 2026
The CDC’s New Autism Language Isn’t Caution. It’s Confusion
The CDC’s recent revision on autism and vaccines revives long-settled questions and may deepen hesitancy without offering any new insight
Nov 24, 2025Autoimmune Conditions
Diet, Exercise and Drugs for Autoimmune Diseases
Usually, our immune systems protect us from all kinds of outside invaders like the bacteria that causes strep throat and the virus…
Mar 6, 2023Birth Control
Can Mounjaro Make Birth Control Less Effective?
Before taking Mounjaro and oral birth control, speak with your doctor about potential medication absorption issues
Apr 22, 2025Cancer
Ivermectin Isn’t a Proven Cure. So Why Do So Many People Believe It Is?
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
Heart Damage: The Silent Cost of Beating Breast Cancer
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
Oct 22, 2025
Pros and Cons of PSA Testing for Prostate Cancer
PSA testing for prostate cancer is controversial. As a screening tool it is inaccurate, hard to interpret and most often leads to…
Sep 29, 2020
Does Every Cancer Patient Need Neulasta?
What’s in a chemo “cocktail” or in Neulasta? A lot more than just chemotherapy drugs, I discovered.
Jan 22, 2015cannabis
Reckoning With The Complicated Side Effects Of Cannabis
While marijuana can provide relief from pain and sleeplessness for many, its side effects are deeply nuanced, shaped by factors such as potency, duration of use, methods of consumption, and the risk of dependence
Feb 6, 2025
Can Cannabis or CBD Mess With My Meds?
Legal or illegal, marijuana, cannabidiol (CBD) and related products are readily available to most people.
Apr 1, 2021Cardiovascular Disease
Beta-Blockers Can Calm Performance Anxiety. But They Don’t Work for Everyone
Widely used off-label to steady nerves, beta-blockers can blunt the body’s stress response.
Apr 16, 2026
Can Red Yeast Rice Lower Cholesterol?
Marketed as a natural cholesterol fix, red yeast rice contains the same active compound as some statins, but with inconsistent dosing, potential contamination, and far less oversight
Mar 9, 2026
Are Statin Side Effects Overstated? Transparency Questions Swirl Around New Study
A large Lancet review finds little evidence for most risks, but some researchers say limited access to the data raises questions
Feb 19, 2026
Heart Disease Prevention, Treatments and Side Effects
Do you ever have acid reflux and wonder if it’s really a heart attack?
Feb 1, 2023Chemo Drugs
Is Efudex Skin Cancer Cream Worth Taking?
When April Pulliam first treated her chest with the chemotherapy cream Efudex, the itching, burning, seeping sores were to be expected, as…
Jan 21, 2021
The Troubling Side Effects of Head and Neck Radiation
At 37 years old and the father of a newborn son, Chris Lavoie found his life turned upside-down with a diagnosis of…
Mar 5, 2015Chronic Pain
Webinar
A Guide to Breaking the Chronic Pain Cycle
A physician with 35 years of experience explains causes of persistent pain and the often overlooked, non-medication methods for healing.
May 13, 2026
What I Wish More People Knew About ‘Safe’ Over-the-Counter Headache Medications
OTC painkillers are widely seen as safe. But frequent, unsupervised use can sometimes make chronic pain harder to treat
Jan 22, 2026
Living With Pain: The Human Cost of Inconsistent Generic Opioids
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
Dopesick vs. Painkiller: Which Is Better?
There will never be enough “ink” to write the story of the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma, their role in the opioid…
Dec 6, 2023Cold & Flu
Is Tamiflu Safe for Kids? Exploring the Risk of Hallucinations
25 years after the medication was first approved, the answer still isn’t clear.
Dec 1, 2024
Why Certain Types Of Cough Drops Could Be Worsening Your Cough
When it comes to one key ingredient, the phrase 'too much of a good thing' may prove true
Oct 23, 2024
How Not To Get Sick Attending Concerts and Crowded Events
It’s happened to most of us. You’re there for a good time, but end up taking an unwanted “souvenir” home with you.
Aug 14, 2023
I Have a Cold, the Flu, or COVID-19. What Should I Take?
How do you figure out exactly what’s wrong with you if you have symptoms common for a cold, the flu and COVID-19?
Dec 2, 2021covid
COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effect Tracker
We've created the MedShadow Vaccine Tracker, the only tracker focused on side effects and adverse events of COVID-19 Vaccines in progress.
May 17, 2024
Shoulder Pain After Vaccination: When Do I Need To See A Doctor?
When MedShadow started collecting comments for its side effects of COVID-19 vaccine tracker and pain after vaccination, what quickly emerged is that…
Feb 17, 2022Depression
Is It Burnout or Depression?
Download the full Burnout or Depression Infograph. Puja Aggarwal, MD, a neurologist, remembers the time six years ago she experienced burnout.
Jun 24, 2022
Coping with the Side Effects of Antidepressants
Headaches, nausea, feeling on edge, being exhausted and a low sex drive.
Oct 28, 2019
Feeling Anxious? Depressed? Check Your Meds
Df you find yourself feeling anxious or on edge for no apparent reason while taking a cold medicine or diuretic, you most…
May 7, 2019
5 Non-Pharmacological Treatments for Depression
An estimated 17% of Americans will experience depression at some point in their lives.
Jan 14, 2019Diabetes
Diabetes Drug Class Linked to Bile Duct and Gallbladder Disease
A popular class of drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes may increase the risk of bile duct and gallbladder disease.
Aug 15, 2016Digestive Health
How Tirzepatide Affects Your Digestive System
Tirzepatide, used for type 2 diabetes and obesity, can cause digestive side effects from mild nausea to serious risks like gastroparesis and intestinal obstruction
Feb 12, 2025
How Semaglutide Affects Your Digestive System
From delayed gastric emptying to gastroparesis, experts explain how this popular medication affects the gut and its side effects
Jan 13, 2025
Digestive Issues: A Guide to Gut Health and Medications
Learn how digestive medications work, the side effects to watch for, and the simple habits that can keep your gut thriving
Jan 13, 2025
IBS Is Manageable, Doctors Say
When personal trainer and nutrition coach Erik was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), he says he felt almost betrayed: “The foods…
Apr 14, 2022Eye Health
Tyrvaya … A Nasal Spray for Dry Eyes?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Tyrvaya, a new nasal spray designed to treat dry eye disease, in October 2021.
Dec 14, 2021
5 Drugs That Can Cause Dry Eye Disease
Dry eye disease is irritating and painful. As an optometrist, I know there are many possible causes, but thedrugs you take might be the culprit.
May 27, 2020Hormone Therapy
Hormone Therapy Just Lost Its Black Box Warning. Now the FDA Owes Women Clarity
The FDA must pair the removal of the Black Box warning with clear, visible prescribing guidance.
Nov 18, 2025
Why Is Hormone Therapy Still So Misunderstood?
Outdated studies, variations in doses and formulations, and individual health factors all play a role in the absence of a straightforward answer about the risks of HT
Apr 10, 2025Hypertension
Ways to Lower High Blood Pressure Without Relying on Drugs
If you have hypertension — high blood pressure — you may think that the only way to control it is to take…
Nov 23, 2024
Everything You Need to Know About Hypertension
High blood pressure (hypertension) is sometimes called the “silent killer.” It often has no symptoms at all, but it can raise your…
May 13, 2024
4 Science-Backed Lifestyle Changes for Hypertension Management
Managing your blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the best ways to improve your overall health and longevity.
May 3, 2024
Everything You Need to Know About ACE Inhibitors
Editor’s note (08/06/20): Because COVID-19 is thought to attach itself to ACE-2 enzymes as a way to gain entry to the human…
Aug 3, 2020Infectious Disease
Get Rid of Fungal Infections: Antifungal Treatment Options and Side Effects
Blogger Divyanshu Verma‘s skin was itchy. He suspected his mild, but bothersome symptoms were caused by ringworm, so he found himself an…
Oct 1, 2024
What To Know About Mpox
Mpox is in the news again. And this outbreak could be more dangerous than the last.
Aug 16, 2024Men’s Sexual Health
Benefits and Side Effects of Doxy-PEP to Prevent STIs
K. Arnold, who asked that we only use his first initial to maintain his medical privacy, first heard about doxy-PEP, a medication…
Jan 16, 2024
Monitoring Crucial Side Effects of PrEP
Scott Frenzel had been treated at his local healthcare clinic in Nashville, Tennessee, for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) twice.
Aug 23, 2023
4 Times to Say “No” To Erectile Dysfunction Drugs
These days, our society seems to have a pill for every ailment.
Sep 20, 2022
6 Alternatives to Erectile Dysfunction Drugs
If you think Viagra is the only way to deal with erectile dysfunction, think again.
May 27, 2021Obesity
Life on Ozempic: The Good, the Bad, and the Complicated
From breakthrough results to difficult side effects, real people share what it’s like to use GLP-1 medications
May 15, 2025
The Side Effects of Wegovy and Ozempic
Wegovy and Ozempic can help people lose weight, but the side effects can be harder to stomach than many expect
Mar 19, 2024Osteopenia/Osteoporosis
The Complicated Reality of Treating Osteoporosis
Although millions of older women face bone loss, decisions about screening and medication remain clouded by conflicting evidence and inconsistent guidance
Jan 26, 2026
Treating Osteoporosis and Bone Loss Without Medication
Lara Pizzorno minces no words when explaining why she didn’t want to take a class of drugs called bisphosphonates when she got…
Apr 15, 2019parkinson's
Exercise and Medicine: A Crucial Combo For Parkinson’s Disease
This article was reviewed and approved by George Grossberg, MD, member of our MedShadow Medical Advisory Board.
Apr 3, 2023PCOS
Everything You Wanted To Know About Treating PCOS, Medications, and Side Effects
PCOS infographic PCOS stands for polycystic ovary syndrome. It’s an unfortunately-named syndrome, as not everyone who is diagnosed actually has cysts on…
May 31, 2023Skin Conditions
Are Sunscreen Chemicals Safe?
Reports of ingredients that may disrupt hormones have left many wary of sun protection.
Jun 22, 2026
Is Benzoyl Peroxide Still Safe? What to Know About Acne Treatment Recalls
Benzoyl peroxide has been a trusted acne fighter for decades, but new concerns over benzene contamination are prompting new investigations and questions about product safety
May 28, 2025
Medications That Can Make You More Sun Sensitive
People often look forward to the warmer days of summer and the longer days of sunshine.
Apr 24, 2025
Understanding Topical Medications: Types, Benefits, and Side Effects for Managing Skin Conditions
Skin conditions can range from a mild annoyance, like an occasional blemish or patch of dry skin, to hives, rashes, and patches…
Feb 5, 2024Sleep Disorders
Can You Fix Insomnia Without Medication?
The most effective treatment for sleeplessness causes none of the side effects that sleep medications do
Oct 29, 2025
How to Treat Sleep Apnea to Improve Your Overall Health
Finding a sleep apnea treatment that works for you can help improve blood pressure, reduce GERD and lessen dependence on related medications.
Aug 28, 2024
A Modafinil Headache: Understanding the Side Effects of ‘Brain Drugs’
Modafinil can help people stay awake, but headaches are among its most common side effects.
Nov 18, 2022
Simple Severe Sleep Apnea Diagnosis Treatment
I woke up in a strange bedroom with 24 electrodes glued all over my body and a plastic mask attached to a…
Oct 19, 2022Statins
Rethinking Statins: Inside the Fierce Debate Over Cholesterol and Heart Health
Statins lower cholesterol, but do they always protect against heart disease? Weighing the risks, benefits and side effects
May 23, 2025Steroids
Prednisone, the Steroid that Gave Me Mood Swings
When I was prescribed a high dose of prednisone, I had no idea it could cause panic attacks so severe I landed in the ER.
Sep 6, 2024
Are SARMs Safe to Use?
Most of us know that using steroids to enhance athletic performance is a bad idea.
Oct 15, 2020
Pros and Cons: Prednisone
If you visit the doctor from time to time for anything other than a routine checkup, it’s likely that at some point…
Jul 29, 2020
Corticosteroids
, also known as glucocorticoids or steroids, aren’t the same as the anabolic steroids athletes misuse.
May 14, 2020Thyroid conditions
Meds That Mess With Your Thyroid
About one in eight people in the U.S. will develop some sort of thyroid condition during their lifetimes, according to the American…
Jul 19, 2023
Thyroid Problems: Symptoms, Treatments and Side Effects
Your thyroid is a gland in the front of your neck that makes two hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
Jul 5, 2023vaccines
What Vaccines Do I Need This Season?
Flu, COVID, RSV, Pneumonia, Measles, which shots do adults need?
Mar 17, 2025
My Struggle With My Daughter’s First Vaccines: Why Agencies Must Address Parents’ Fears
Trying to find detailed information on side effects proved harder than I had imagined.
Oct 22, 2024
Should You Get the RSV Vaccine? Some Experts Urge Caution
Adam is the youngest of three children. His older brother and sister came down with a cough and fever when Adam was…
Sep 11, 2023
Side Effects of Shingles Vaccine Are Common, But Short-Lived
Shingles is not your average rash. The painful, itchy red stripe caused by shingles can last up to 10 days, while long-term…
Apr 5, 2022vertigo
How to Handle the Dizzying Side Effects of Some Drugs
Most of the time, our body’s balance system does its job so well that we don’t even realize it’s doing it.
Apr 30, 2018Women's Sexual Health
What Is Addyi? The Controversy Behind the Drug Nicknamed the ‘Female Viagra’
Marketed as a breakthrough for low libido in women, flibanserin’s approval followed two FDA rejections, a controversial campaign, and safety concerns
Jun 6, 2025
Did the FDA Really Stop Side Effect Reporting for Abortion Drugs?
During RFK Jr.'s confirmation hearing, both he and senators questioning him implied that the FDA was actively avoiding studying the side effects of mifepristone.
Feb 18, 2025 Monitoring Crucial Side Effects of PrEP
Scott Frenzel had been treated at his local healthcare clinic in Nashville, Tennessee, for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) twice.
Aug 23, 2023
Benefits and Side Effects of “The Morning After Pill”
The “morning-after pill” is available to a second generation at Jennifer’s home.
Jun 22, 2022