FDA Consumer Health Information Updates

The effects of menopause can make a woman’s daily life much harder, and therapies approved by the FDA can help. But too many women might not use these treatments to lessen their menopause symptoms because of the risks associated with these drugs described in the drug labels’ boxed warnings.

At the FDA, we rely on our many advisory committees to help us make sound decisions based on the best science available. Advisory committees give our own FDA experts outside, independent, and professional advice on various complex scientific, technical, and policy issues.

Learn what FDA oversight of tampons means for you and how to use them safely.

Sun safety is always in season. It’s important to protect your skin from sun damage throughout the year, no matter the weather. The FDA continues to evaluate sunscreen products to ensure that their active ingredients are safe and effective.

Your infant’s sensitive skin is vulnerable to serious burns. But sunscreen isn’t the answer. Infants are at greater risk than adults of sunscreen side effects, such as a rash. The FDA recommends keeping newborns and babies younger than 6 months out of direct sunlight.

Consumer articles about medical devices.

Braces have evolved and now alternatives in both look and materials are available. Here are some answers to common questions about braces.

Decorative contact lenses, also called colored or costume contact lenses, are not cosmetics or over-the-counter merchandise. They are medical devices regulated by the FDA, and you need a prescription to avoid eye injury. Before buying these lenses, here's what to know.

Are all bodybuilding products safe to use? The FDA says no and explains why.

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.

Unfortunately, when faced with a serious health issue, even the most rational person can be led to believe implausible Alzheimer cure claims.

The FDA has received an increasing number of reports of pets accidentally overdosing on Apoquel Chewable (oclacitinib chewable tablets), a flavored chewable medicine approved only for dogs.

Many teens underestimate how easy it is to become addicted to nicotine. This raises concerns because young people are at greatest risk of nicotine addiction because their brains are still developing. Find out how you can help.

La dentición es una fase normal de la infancia que no necesita “curarse” con medicamentos recetados o de venta libre. La FDA advierte a los padres que los productos que contienen benzocaína no son seguros para tratar la dentición en los niños. Hay alternativas no tóxicas más seguras.

Anyone can save a life during an opioid overdose with naloxone, a front-line defense in the opioid crisis. Naloxone is a life-saving drug that quickly reverses the powerful effects of opioids. FDA is working to give more people access to naloxone.

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

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.

As we age, physical changes can affect the way our body handles medications and how medicines work, which can lead to complications. Even if your medications have worked well for you over the years, they might need to be adjusted or changed later in life. Here are some important safety tips.

Tobacco comes in many forms, from cigars and cigarettes to smokeless tobacco and dissolvable nicotine products. FDA works to reduce the use of these products, and the harm that they cause. To learn more read these Consumer Updates.

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.