What Parents Should Know About Generic Drugs
Generics save families money and work well for most medications. But for seizure drugs, some ADHD medications, and a few other treatments, consistency can be important
Jun 24, 2026Menu
Shedding Light on the Risks
& Benefits of Medications
Shedding Light on the Risks
& Benefits of Medications Drug Safety
The Rare Drug Reaction That Can Cause Blindness, Organ Damage, and Death
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is frequently misdiagnosed in its early stages, delaying treatment and increasing the risk of life-altering complications
Jun 11, 2026
GLP-1 Overdoses Are Rising as Telehealth Weight-Loss Prescriptions Boom
As online weight-loss clinics boom, reports of GLP-1 overdoses, dosing mistakes, and hospitalizations are climbing
Jun 3, 2026
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
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
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. But the evidence is limited, the benefits are specific, and the risks — while often low — are real
Apr 16, 2026
‘Do Your Own Research’ Has Been Hijacked
In medicine, “do your own research” sounds empowering, but too often, it becomes a shortcut to misinformation, fear, and false certainty
Apr 1, 2026
It’s Easier Than Ever To Get A Prescription Online. That Might Be A Problem
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
Should Drug Companies Be Advertising to Consumers?
After decades of debate, politicians of all stripes are proposing bans
Mar 2, 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
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
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. Physicians argue that safer alternatives exist, and question why the drug is still so easy to buy
Jan 6, 2026
Inside the FDA’s Quiet Move to Weaken Drug Approval Standards
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
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. Without it, women are left unprotected
Nov 18, 2025
What’s Really Inside Your OTC Drugs?
Most over-the-counter medications were never tested for bioavailability or bioequivalence, leaving key questions unanswered about how well they work
Nov 19, 2025
What to Know About Lynkuet, the New Hot Flash Drug
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
When the Neighborhood Pharmacy Closes, ‘Everything Changes’
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
Zyn and Nicotine: What You Don’t Know Might Hurt You
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
Will Taking Tylenol During Pregnancy Harm Your Baby? The Evidence Is Complicated
A government warning has raised new questions, but the evidence is mixed and misunderstood
Sep 25, 2025
