MedShadow: An Authoritative Source of Info About The Side Effects of Pharmaceutical Drugs
When researching side effects, you can tap into the myriad resources of MedShadow.org. MedShadow.org is an independent, authoritative source of information about the side effects of pharmaceutical drugs. The site does not accept advertising or contributions from drug companies, insurance companies or manufacturers of medical devices.
Established health reporters and editors interview top experts and cite recent studies when compiling articles on the most prevalent health conditions and top-selling drugs. Feature stories cover a range of topics including diabetes, ADHD, drugs during pregnancy, proton pump inhibitors and the HPV vaccine. The site also encourages consumers to consider lifestyle changes and alternative treatments with articles on vitamin D, acupuncture, and Chinese herbs — as well as with Food as Medicine and Exercise as Medicine features.
Each week new blogs are posted by Suzanne Robotti, patient advocate and founder, on topics ranging from the Choose Wisely Initiative to selecting non-drug treatments for children with ADHD. Sarah Smedley, a former FDA staffer, writes a biweekly FDA Watch covering the agency’s latest drug approvals; while Steven Findlay, a highly regarded health reporter and consultant to Consumer Reports, contributes a monthly blog called Your Meds based on Consumer Reports “Best Buy Drugs” reports.
The site also offers a list of resources, downloadables on questions to ask your doctor, videos with top experts, first-person blogs and news updates. “Our website now draws approximately 50,000 visitors a month, so we know that consumers want information about the side effects of the drugs they are taking,” notes Robotti. “In non-life-threatening situations, we hope patients can ask themselves, ‘Do I need this medication, or can I try lifestyle changes — like reduced calorie consumption and more exercise — or alternative treatments — like acupuncture, meditation and Chinese herbs — before I embark on a years’ long regimen with this drug?’”
