Shedding Light on the Risks
& Benefits of Medications 
Simtriyo is being promoted as a new kind of ADHD drug that may help with emotional dysregulation.
Sep 11, 2026
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, 2025
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
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
Diphenhydramine is linked to severe and sometimes fatal side effects, yet remains widely sold over the counter.
Jan 6, 2026
Pollen Allergy
Mar 19, 2015
The heavily marketed memory supplement has faced years of scrutiny over its science.
May 7, 2026
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
New FDA-approved Alzheimer's drugs — Aduhelm, Leqembi, and Kisunla — have shown side effects, including brain bleeds and swelling.
Jul 11, 2024
This article was reviewed and approved by George Grossberg, MD, member of our MedShadow Medical Advisory Board.
Apr 3, 2023
This widely used antibiotic comes with serious risks—so why do doctors keep prescribing it?
Mar 21, 2025
Can antibiotics cure the coronavirus? No. What about from the regular flu?
Mar 4, 2020
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
Last week, we ran a news story on antibiotics causing “rare” damages to people.
Apr 3, 2018
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
From life-saving results to life-altering side effects, real people share what it’s like to use antidepressants
Aug 14, 2025
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
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, 2024
When a political promise outpaces science, families start making decisions based on evidence that never existed
Apr 22, 2026
The CDC’s recent revision on autism and vaccines revives long-settled questions and may deepen hesitancy without offering any new insight
Nov 24, 2025
Scientists have identified genetic variants that make certain medications far more toxic for some people.
Sep 1, 2026
Could some cancer patients get the same benefit from less medication? Researchers are challenging standard doses that can bring serious side effects and staggering costs.
Aug 27, 2026
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
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
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
Legal or illegal, marijuana, cannabidiol (CBD) and related products are readily available to most people.
Apr 1, 2021
A new oral PCSK9 inhibitor may lower cholesterol by more than half when added to statins and other existing treatments, but whether it prevents heart attacks and strokes remains unknown
Aug 5, 2026
Widely used off-label to steady nerves, beta-blockers can blunt the body’s stress response.
Apr 16, 2026
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
A large Lancet review finds little evidence for most risks, but some researchers say limited access to the data raises questions
Feb 19, 2026
Webinar
A physician with 35 years of experience explains causes of persistent pain and the often overlooked, non-medication methods for healing.
May 13, 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
There will never be enough “ink” to write the story of the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma, their role in the opioid…
Dec 6, 2023
25 years after the medication was first approved, the answer still isn’t clear.
Dec 1, 2024
When it comes to one key ingredient, the phrase 'too much of a good thing' may prove true
Oct 23, 2024
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
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
From breakthrough results to difficult side effects, real people share what it’s like to use GLP-1 medications
May 15, 2025
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
From delayed gastric emptying to gastroparesis, experts explain how this popular medication affects the gut and its side effects
Jan 13, 2025
Learn how digestive medications work, the side effects to watch for, and the simple habits that can keep your gut thriving
Jan 13, 2025
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Tyrvaya, a new nasal spray designed to treat dry eye disease, in October 2021.
Dec 14, 2021
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, 2020
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
Mpox is in the news again. And this outbreak could be more dangerous than the last.
Aug 16, 2024
The current administration has promoted expanded access to testosterone therapy and testing for low testosterone.
Jul 20, 2026
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
Scott Frenzel had been treated at his local healthcare clinic in Nashville, Tennessee, for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) twice.
Aug 23, 2023
These days, our society seems to have a pill for every ailment.
Sep 20, 2022
Although millions of older women face bone loss, decisions about screening and medication remain clouded by conflicting evidence and inconsistent guidance
Jan 26, 2026
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, 2019
Reports of ingredients that may disrupt hormones have left many wary of sun protection.
Jun 22, 2026
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
People often look forward to the warmer days of summer and the longer days of sunshine.
Apr 24, 2025
Skin conditions can range from a mild annoyance, like an occasional blemish or patch of dry skin, to hives, rashes, and patches…
Feb 5, 2024
The most effective treatment for sleeplessness causes none of the side effects that sleep medications do
Oct 29, 2025
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
Modafinil can help people stay awake, but headaches are among its most common side effects.
Nov 18, 2022
I woke up in a strange bedroom with 24 electrodes glued all over my body and a plastic mask attached to a…
Oct 19, 2022 A new oral PCSK9 inhibitor may lower cholesterol by more than half when added to statins and other existing treatments, but whether it prevents heart attacks and strokes remains unknown
Aug 5, 2026
Statins lower cholesterol, but do they always protect against heart disease? Weighing the risks, benefits and side effects
May 23, 2025
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
Most of us know that using steroids to enhance athletic performance is a bad idea.
Oct 15, 2020
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
, also known as glucocorticoids or steroids, aren’t the same as the anabolic steroids athletes misuse.
May 14, 2020
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
Your thyroid is a gland in the front of your neck that makes two hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
Jul 5, 2023
Flu, COVID, RSV, Pneumonia, Measles, which shots do adults need?
Mar 17, 2025
Trying to find detailed information on side effects proved harder than I had imagined.
Oct 22, 2024
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
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, 2022
New FDA-approved medications and older repurposed drugs are expanding treatment choices for women seeking relief from hot flashes, sleep problems, mood changes, and other symptoms
Jul 15, 2026
The FDA must pair the removal of the Black Box warning with clear, visible prescribing guidance.
Nov 18, 2025
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
Before taking Mounjaro and oral birth control, speak with your doctor about potential medication absorption issues
Apr 22, 2025 Simtriyo is being promoted as a new kind of ADHD drug that may help with emotional dysregulation. But the strongest evidence so far is for core ADHD symptoms, and questions remain about how it compares to existing treatments
Sep 11, 2026 Scientists have identified genetic variants that make certain medications far more toxic for some people. The challenge is getting that information into the exam room
Sep 1, 2026 Could some cancer patients get the same benefit from less medication? Researchers are challenging standard doses that can bring serious side effects and staggering costs.
Aug 27, 2026 A new oral PCSK9 inhibitor may lower cholesterol by more than half when added to statins and other existing treatments, but whether it prevents heart attacks and strokes remains unknown
Aug 5, 2026 Reports of ingredients that may disrupt hormones have left many wary of sun protection. Find out where the science stands and how to protect your skin from UV damage
Jun 22, 2026 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 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.
May 7, 2026 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 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 A large Lancet review finds little evidence for most risks, but some researchers say limited access to the data raises questions
Feb 19, 2026 Although millions of older women face bone loss, decisions about screening and medication remain clouded by conflicting evidence and inconsistent guidance
Jan 26, 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 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 From delayed gastric emptying to gastroparesis, experts explain how this popular medication affects the gut and its side effects
Jan 13, 2025 Learn how digestive medications work, the side effects to watch for, and the simple habits that can keep your gut thriving
Jan 13, 2025 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, 2024Stream our library on demand, including insights on generic drugs and pain management, straight from experts.
WATCH NOW
