Adverse drug reactions cannot be predicted. Reactions are often unrelated to the condition for which the medication was prescribed. Adverse reaction or withdrawal symptoms can resemble psychiatric illness.

Dr. Greene answers a parent's question about antibiotic dosages and why the prescribed amount may differ from one infection to the next.

Includes resources on medication safety basics, key medication facts for parents as well as older adults, along with a related links and references section.

David Healy is an expert in psychiatric medicine. His job offer was abruptly rescinded due to claims he made about Prozac causing suicidal behaviour in a small percentage of cases. Some say this was due to pressure from Prozac's manufacturer. Site contains the contested lecture, letters and a transcript of a documentary.

An extensive resource on the regulation of pharmaceuticals and medical devices focusing on the Food and Drug Administration. Includes a history, an evaluation of policy, and a bibliography with many links.

Resources on prescription drug misuse, abuse, and addiction. Includes information about different drugs and partner organizations.

From the New England Journal of Medicine. "Currently, after a drug is approved for marketing, we rely on a voluntary reporting system based on the assumption that a drug is safe... It is remarkable that at a time when the technology for collecting and analyzing large amounts of data is readily available, an independent, comprehensive, and systematic program of post-marketing drug surveillance does not exist." (December 17, 1998)