FDA Consumer Health Information Updates

The FDA recommends pregnant people, adults over age 65, and people with weakened immune systems avoid queso fresco-type cheeses to help prevent serious illness.

From medical X-ray scanners used to see inside the body to surgical lasers used for cosmetic purposes or to improve eyesight, FDA ensures the safety and effectiveness of a wide range or products that emit radiation. To learn more, read these Consumer Updates.

Consumer articles about medical devices.

Consumer articles about over-the-counter and prescription drugs.

Dietary supplements are regulated by the FDA as food, not as drugs. However, many dietary supplements contain ingredients that have strong biological effects which may conflict with a medicine you are taking or a medical condition you may have. Products containing hidden drugs are also sometimes fal

Consumer articles about cosmetics.

From blood to vaccines, FDA protects and advances the public health by ensuring that biological products are safe, effective, and available to those who need them. Read these Consumer Updates to learn more.

Consumer articles from FDA about animal health and veterinary medicine.

FDA-regulated medical and veterinary products save lives. Products undergo different types of testing, including animal testing, to determine their safety and effectiveness. The FDA encourages and accepts scientifically valid alternatives to animal testing.

Keeping track of when, how and why you use medications is important for your health and safety. A medication list helps you track all the prescription medications, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, vitamins and supplements that you take. The list can be a lifesaver, especially during an emergency.

Kids aren't just small adults. From diet and nutrition to their reactions to medicine, their bodies are unique. Read these Consumer Updates to learn more.

Giving yourself too much or too little oxygen can be dangerous. If you are using a pulse oximeter to monitor your oxygen levels and think they are low, see a doctor. You should not use an oxygen concentrator at home unless it has been prescribed by a health care provider.

How can you tell if an online pharmacy is operating legally? The FDA’s BeSafeRx site can help you identify and avoid dangerous online pharmacies. The FDA has tips for buying medicines online safely.

Tampons are medical devices regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. If you or a loved one uses them, it's important to use them safely. Learn the basics.

To help consumers build nutritious diets, the FDA updated the nutritional requirements a food must meet to use the claim "healthy" on the package.

More people are getting tattoos and permanent makeup, and some have developed infections from contaminated inks, or had bad reactions to the inks. Get the facts before making a permanent decision.

There isn’t sufficient evidence to show that OTC antibacterial soaps are better at preventing illness than washing with plain soap and water. Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs.

Antibiotics are powerful medications that save countless lives every day. But they’re not the answer for every illness. Antibiotics treat only some infections caused by bacteria – and none caused by viruses. Learn to safely use antibiotics to get well and combat antimicrobial resistance.

Patients today have several treatment options to prevent hospitalization and other serious complications of COVID-19. The FDA has approved drug treatments for COVID-19 and has authorized others for emergency use.

Timely articles and multimedia content about food and food-safety.