Category: Medications and Supplements - Page 3

The FDA's 180-day exclusivity gives the first generic drug maker to challenge a patent a head start on the market. But loopholes let companies delay launches, costing patients billions. Here's how it works - and why reform is coming.

Fiber supplements like psyllium help with constipation but can interfere with medications if taken at the wrong time. Learn the safest timing rules to avoid reduced drug effectiveness and serious side effects.

Learn when and how to safely use expired medications during disasters or shortages. Understand which drugs still work, which are dangerous, and what steps to take in an emergency.

Learn how the VA National Formulary controls prescription costs with a strict generic-first policy, three-tier copay system, and nationwide access to affordable medications for veterans and CHAMPVA beneficiaries.

Athletes on blood thinners face higher bleeding risks during sports. Learn how DOACs like apixaban, sport risk levels, and timed dosing can help you stay active safely without compromising health.

Learn which pills are safe to split and which ones can be dangerous. Save money on meds without risking your health by following expert guidelines on tablet splitting.

As of February 2025, the FDA removed the mandatory REMS program for clozapine, ending strict ANC monitoring requirements. ANC blood tests are still recommended, but no longer need to be reported to a federal system. This change improves access to the most effective treatment for treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Learn how to report medication side effects to the FDA using MedWatch. Step-by-step guide for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers on submitting adverse event reports to improve drug safety.

Prescribers have deep concerns about substituting generic versions of narrow therapeutic index (NTI) drugs due to small changes in blood levels that can cause serious harm. Despite FDA assurances, real-world data shows substitution risks, communication gaps, and persistent brand use among doctors.

Therapeutic Equivalence Codes (TE Codes) tell pharmacists which generic drugs can safely replace brand-name medications. Learn how the FDA's Orange Book system saves billions while ensuring effectiveness.