You may have heard of clinical trials, and your doctor may even have suggested your child enroll in one. Here, from the experts at the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are some of the things to consider: Clinical trials are voluntary research studies conducted in people and designed to answer specific questions about the… Continue reading Should Your Child Take Part in A Clinical Trial?
Tag: FDA
Beware the Label!
Think you know which packaged foods are good for you? Think again, because researchers have found that terms such as “no-fat,” “low-fat,” “no-sugar, or “reduced salt” on food packaging rarely reflect the actual nutritional quality of the food they contain. The research, led by experts at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, appears… Continue reading Beware the Label!
FDA Facilitates Research on Earlier Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a nightmare haunting many Americans. More than 5 million Americans have been diagnosed with the disease, which is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the most common cause of dementia among people 60 or older. Alzheimer’s is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and… Continue reading FDA Facilitates Research on Earlier Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease
How to Develop Health Literacy
When your doctor prescribes a medication, do you know what the correct dosage is or how to measure it? Are you comfortable asking your doctor questions when you receive a lab report and don’t understand the results? Do you understand how to use the information on the Nutrition Facts Label on food products when you… Continue reading How to Develop Health Literacy
BPA: What You Need to Know
The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acknowledges the interest that many consumers have in the safe use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging. FDA has performed extensive research and reviewed hundreds of studies about BPA’s safety. We reassure consumers that current approved uses of BPA in food containers and packaging are safe. Additional… Continue reading BPA: What You Need to Know
FDA Proposing New Tanning-Bed Regulations
There are many risks from indoor tanning devices: Using sunlamp products such as indoor tanning beds or booths exposes you to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and increases your risk of eye injury, skin damage, and skin cancer—including melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer. Due to these risks, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) already requires indoor… Continue reading FDA Proposing New Tanning-Bed Regulations
The Risk of “All-Natural” ED Treatments
Men, beware! Products falsely marketed as “dietary supplements” or “foods” that promise to enhance your sexual performance or increase sexual stimulation might contain hidden drug ingredients or other undisclosed ingredients — and can endanger your health. Thus far, FDA lab tests have found that nearly 300 of these products contain undisclosed drug ingredients. These can… Continue reading The Risk of “All-Natural” ED Treatments
Keeping Track of Food Safety Recalls
In all likelihood you’ve heard about some recalls on television or in the newspaper, but that may not be all the information you need. Here, from the website www.foodsafety.gov, is what you need to know about food recalls, and how to find the latest information: Recalls & Alerts A food recall occurs when there is… Continue reading Keeping Track of Food Safety Recalls
FDA Approves Controversial “Viagra” for Women
The federal Food and Drug Administration has given its approval to the controversial drug flibanserin (Addyi), also known as “pink Viagra.” It is the first-ever drug aimed at increasing women’s libido. “[The] approval provides women distressed by their low sexual desire with an approved treatment option,” Janet Woodcock, MD, director of the FDA’s Center for… Continue reading FDA Approves Controversial “Viagra” for Women
Why You Should Be Concerned About OTC Painkillers
Next time you reach into the medicine cabinet seeking relief for a headache, backache or arthritis, be aware of important safety information for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. FDA is strengthening an existing warning in prescription drug labels and over-the-counter (OTC) Drug Facts labels to indicate that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can increase the chance of a… Continue reading Why You Should Be Concerned About OTC Painkillers
Do Cosmetics Promise More Than They Can Deliver?
Americans spend a lot of money on creams, lotions and other cosmetics that promise to improve their skin, hair, and even eyelashes. But sometimes those promises go too far. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns cosmetics companies when they make claims about their products that classify them as drugs, not cosmetics. FDA has issued… Continue reading Do Cosmetics Promise More Than They Can Deliver?
Don’t Be Misled by “Latex-Free” Claims
If you’re allergic to natural rubber latex, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has good news for you: in the future, you are less likely to be misinformed about the absence of this allergen in such products as medical devices. To avoid false assurances about this hazard to your health, FDA is recommending to… Continue reading Don’t Be Misled by “Latex-Free” Claims
FDA: How to Keep Up with Product Recalls
FDA continues to work on improving the way it provides recall information. When there is a food recall, we know many people will want more information. So, if you want recall information, you can visit our Product Recall Page (click here) where sorting and search functions now display this information in an easy-to-read format. We… Continue reading FDA: How to Keep Up with Product Recalls
Low-Cost Drug Not Being Prescribed to Pre-Diabetes Patients
There’s a low-cost drug that can help prevent the onset of diabetes, but few doctors are prescribing it, according to a new study. The study, from investigators at UCLA, was published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. It found that only 3.7 percent of adults with pre-diabetes were given metformin during a… Continue reading Low-Cost Drug Not Being Prescribed to Pre-Diabetes Patients
If Your Pet Is Diagnosed with Cancer: What You Need to Know
Any pet owner who has been told their animal has cancer knows the two emotions: anxiety for the beloved pet’s life, and hope for an effective treatment. “Many people consider their dogs and cats members of the family,” says Food and Drug Administration veterinarian Lisa Troutman. “Just as FDA reviews drugs for humans for safety… Continue reading If Your Pet Is Diagnosed with Cancer: What You Need to Know
Allergic to Milk? It Might Be in Your Dark Chocolate
If you or someone in your household is allergic to milk, take heed: a recent study by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tested 100 dark chocolate products and found that many contained milk. More importantly, you can’t always tell that’s the case simply by reading the food label. “This can be a problem, since… Continue reading Allergic to Milk? It Might Be in Your Dark Chocolate
How Much Do You Know about “Bioidentical” Hormones?
Although many menopausal women are taking so-called “bioidentical hormones,” they may not understand the risk of these unapproved treatments, according to the North American Menopause Society. An analysis to be published in the Society’s journal Menopause found that between 28% to 68% of women using hormones take the “bioidentical” substances without understanding that they are… Continue reading How Much Do You Know about “Bioidentical” Hormones?
How to Get The Best Mammogram Possible
Editor’s Note: Mammograms are one of the most commonly performed procedures for women, and there is little argument about their value in detecting breast cancer. But not all mammograms are equal, and you owe it to yourself to get the best one available. Here, from the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is an explanation… Continue reading How to Get The Best Mammogram Possible