Recent Postings

Learn about kratom (mitragynine) products, which are derived from the leaves of a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, and include synthetic derivatives of kratom, mainly 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). All kratom products have serious adverse health effects; Public Citizen’s Health Research Group recommends against their use.

Orlistat (ALLI) is the only over-the-counter weight-loss drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In June 2026 the FDA approved labeling changes to warn of the risk of kidney stones and kidney injury. The “From the Editor” column discusses why we have long recommended that you Do Not Use orlistat and why the FDA should reconsider its continuing approval of a minimally effective drug with serious risks and safety concerns.

In April 2026 the FDA extended the approval of dextromethorphan-buproprion (AUVELITY) to include agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. The oral combination drug has serious risks and only marginal benefits for the new indication; we have classified it as a Do Not Use drug for agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease.

In December 2025 the FDA approved tradipitant (NEREUS) to prevent vomiting related to motion sickness in adults. Clinical trials have not compared this drug with existing treatments for motion sickness and its long-term safety and effectiveness are not known. We have classified tradipitant as Do Not Use for Seven Years.

Learn about the 2026-2027 influenza (flu) and COVID-19 vaccines. We recommend that all eligible children and adults receive and stay up to date on influenza and COVID-19 vaccination.

In February 2026 the Food and Drug Administration approved milsaperidone (BYSANTI), an atypical antipsychotic, for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults and the acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder. Learn why Public Citizen’s Health Research Group has classified milsaperidone as a Do Not Use drug.

The From the Editor column discusses the serious concerns raised by a pilot program in Utah that allows an artificial intelligence (AI) firm’s proprietary AI health care platform to autonomously refill prescription medications for people with certain chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Omalizumab (XOLAIR) is the first drug approved by FDA to reduce allergic reactions to multiple food allergens after accidental exposure. Because adequate data are not yet available to assess who would benefit from the drug and when the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks of serious adverse events, including anaphylaxis, we recommend that you do not use omalizumab for seven years.

Learn about clinically important interactions of the widely prescribed once-daily calcium channel blocker amlodipine with other medications and dietary supplements.

A 2026 Cochrane review of 17 randomized controlled clinical trials with 20,342 participants concluded that monoclonal antibody drugs targeting amyloid-beta have “trivial” effects on cognitive function and dementia severity at 18 months and “probably results in a small increase” in the risk of brain swelling.

In 2025 Public Citizen petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require a warning against using two widely prescribed oral wakefulness-promoting drugs, modafinil (PROVIGIL and generics) and armodafinil (NUVIGIL and generics), during pregnancy. In May 2026 we filed a supplemental petition based on the final analysis of an FDA-mandated U.S. registry that strengthens the case for our petition. The analysis demonstrated a fourfold higher rate of major congenital malformations among fetuses exposed during pregnancy to either drug than in the general U.S. population.

The From the Editor column discusses a forthcoming FDA advisory committee meeting to discuss easing restrictions on seven peptides that the agency removed three years ago from a list of bulk substances that compounding pharmacies can use. All these peptides, like any new drugs, should go through the FDA’s standard approval process, not a more lenient workaround alternative pathway that defeats the agency’s purpose.

Learn about drugs that can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), including antidiabetic drugs, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers, and some antiarrhythmic drugs and antibiotics.

A recently published study compared the two mostly commonly prescribed direct-acting oral anticoagulants for treatment of venous thromboembolism. Although the drugs had comparable effectiveness during three months of treatment, apixaban (ELIQUIS) was associated with a significantly lower risk of bleeding than rivaroxaban (XARELTO).

The current round of Medicare price negotiations includes three rheumatoid arthritis drugs  abatacept (ORENCIA), certolizumab pegol (CIMZIA) and tofacitinib (XELJANZ). We have designated abatacept as Limited Use and the other two drugs as Do Not Use. At present, the U.S. price for these drugs ranges from approximately $3,000 to $6,300 for a 30-day supply.