FDA Consumer Health Information Updates

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.

Consumer articles about medical devices.

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

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.

Consumer articles from FDA about animal health and veterinary medicine.

The FDA is responsible for protecting public health by regulating human drugs and biological products, animal drugs, medical devices, tobacco products, food (including animal food), cosmetics, and electronic products that emit radiation.

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.

Scientists have worked for decades on ways to modify or replace genes to treat, cure, or prevent illness. Advancements in science technology are changing the way we define disease, develop drugs, and prescribe treatments. The FDA has approved gene therapies for cancer, rare diseases.

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.

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.

The growing spread of rumors, misinformation and disinformation about science, medicine, and the FDA, is putting patients and consumers at risk. FDA is here to provide the facts.

Many ads on social media and "healthy" websites claim their products can cure cancer. They cannot.

Just as FDA reviews drugs for humans for safety and effectiveness before they can go on the market, the agency does the same for treatments for animals. Learn how FDA brings new oncology treatments to market and questions to ask your vet about your dog's cancer diagnosis.

FDA strongly advises against the use of cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and marijuana in any form during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

The Nutrition Facts Label on food packaging is an important and easy way to get essential information to help you make healthy food choices. These FDA Consumer Updates are also a great resource for more nutrition facts, and other helpful information about the food you eat.