Recent Postings

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.

In 2015, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved flibanserin (ADDYI) to treat premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. In December 2025, the FDA expanded the drug’s approval to include postmenopausal women age 65 years and younger. Public Citizen’s Health Research continues to classify flibanserin as a Do Not Use drug.

The “From the Editor” column discusses recent public opinion polls showing that the public (1) supports rigorous standards for the approval of new drugs, not earlier access with less complete safety testing, and (2) are more confident in career scientists at U.S. agencies than in those agencies’ political leaders.

Learn about medications that increase the risk of falls, such as certain antidepressants, benzodiazepines and Z-drugs, antipsychotics, antihistamines, anti-seizure drugs, cardiovascular drugs, muscle relaxants and opioids.

In December 2025, the manufacturer of andexanet (ANDEXXA) voluntarily removed the drug from the U.S. market. The withdrawal of andexanet was long overdue. Since 2021, we have designated the drug as Do Not Use.

Guselkumab (TREMFYA) is an expensive injectable biologic drug that is widely promoted in direct-to-consumer television advertisements. Learn about the drug’s indications and safety issues, including an increased risk of infections.

In October 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved elinzanetant (Lynkuet), an oral medication, for the treatment of mild to severe hot flashes due to menopause. Public Citizen’s Health Research Group has classified elinzanetant as a “Do Not Use” drug based on its marginal benefits and concerns about its long-term safety.

The “From the Editor” column discusses recent developments at the FDA. The developments raise questions about the agency’s ability to make decisions based on scientific data about the safety and effectiveness of medical products, and to do so without political interference.

The recent rise of the anti-vaccine movement and vaccine hesitancy are threatening protection against measles in the United States and leading to outbreaks of measles in many areas of the country. Learn about the effectiveness and safety of the measles vaccines and the continued importance of vaccination. Importantly, well-designed studies have repeatedly found no association between measles vaccines and autism.

The rapid uptake of newer nicotine products, such as e-cigarettes and oral pouches, particularly among young people, threatens the slow progress over many years in tobacco control and poses substantial risks to cardiovascular health throughout the world. A December 2025 report in the European Heart Journal offers a policy blueprint to respond to the addictive and harmful effects of nicotine and “prevent the rise of a new generation of nicotine-addicted youth.”

Blood glucose monitors can be used in the home or health care settings. They are frequently used by patients with diabetes to guide treatment, such as to determine the best insulin dose. Recent FDA warnings about glucose monitors have highlighted the dangerous risks that may occur when these devices malfunction.