Subscribe: FDA Consumer Health Information The genes in your body’s cells play an important role in your health — indeed, a defective gene or genes can make you sick. Recognizing this, scientists have been working for decades on ways to modify genes or …
Subscribe: FDA Consumer Health Information Quitting smoking can be hard, but it is possible. In fact, every time you put out a cigarette is a new chance to try quitting again, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s newest tobacco education …
En Español Subscribe: FDA Consumer Health Information Cold and flu viruses are always around. So why do we seem to be especially vulnerable during the fall and winter months? For the most part, it’s because we spend more time indoors, and the viruses that …
Subscribe: FDA Consumer Health Information Many kids (and parents) who have seen Luke Skywalker battle Darth Vader with a light saber think lasers are cool. What they may not know is this: When operated unsafely, or without certain controls, the highly- …
Bone treats are real bones that have been processed, sometimes flavored, and packaged for dogs. Giving your dog a “bone treat” might lead to an unexpected trip to your veterinarian, a possible emergency surgery, or even death for your pet. Many dog owners …
Researchers hope stem cells will one day be effective in the treatment of many medical conditions and diseases. But unproven stem cell treatments can be unsafe—so get all of the facts if you’re considering any treatment. Subscribe: FDA Consumer Health …
Español Subscribe: FDA Consumer Health Information Are you considering a procedure to shape or increase the size of certain parts of your body? Beware of using injectable silicone for body contouring, or any other unapproved products to achieve your goals …
Español Subscribe: FDA Consumer Health Information When your doctor prescribes a medication for your child, 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’ …
Thermography (above) produces an infrared image that shows the patterns of heat and blood flow on or near the surface of the body A mammogram (above) is an X-ray of the breast which, in this case, shows a cancerous mass in white. Subscribe: FDA Consumer …
Español Subscribe: FDA Consumer Health Information Is your medicine cabinet full of expired drugs or medications you no longer use? Your medicine is for you. What’s safe for you might be harmful for someone else. You can dispose of your expired, unwanted, …
Subscribe: FDA Consumer Health Information En Español Biosimilar products provide more treatment options to patients, potentially lowering treatment costs and increasing access to lifesaving medications. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved …
Subscribe: FDA Consumer Health Information Whether you’re a ghost or zombie, vampire or witch, poor costume choices—including decorative (colored) contact lenses and flammable costumes—and face paint allergies can cause injuries that haunt you long after …
Subscribe: FDA Consumer Health Information If you’re purchasing medications for your pet online to save money or for convenience, there are Internet sites that represent legitimate pharmacies. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has found that there …
En Español On this page: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reminding parents and caregivers not to put babies in sleep positioners. These products—sometimes also called “nests” or “anti-roll” products—can cause suffocation (a struggle to breathe) …
On this page: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States. It affects about 100,000 children and adults in the United States and millions of people worldwide. New treatments are needed to prevent and treat its …
Risk factors for prostate cancer include family history, age and race; but new approaches to treatment hold promise. Get Consumer Updates by email. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men and the second most common cause of cancer-related …
Get Consumer Updates by email. En Español Head lice are most common among preschool children attending child care, elementary school children, and household members of children who have head lice. While lice are a year-round problem, the number of cases …
Lyme Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment for People and Pets How to Safely Remove a Tick Using fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don't twist or jerk the tick. Your goal …
Español Get Consumer Updates by email. On this page: Take Medicine as Prescribed—with Input from Your Health Care Provider Keep a Medication List Be Aware of Potential Drug Interactions and Side Effects Review Medications with Your Health Care Provider …
Consumer Updates by email. Download PDF (190 K) Grapefruit juice and the actual grapefruit can be part of a healthy diet. Grapefruit has vitamin C and potassium—nutrients your body needs to work properly. But it isn’t good for you when it affects the way …
