Medications
682
FDA-approved drugs tracked
FDA & CMS data Plain-English Official source
Medication info that actually makes sense
Plain-English drug information built from official FDA labels and CMS pricing data.
Search 682+ medications for plain-English FDA labels, side effects, drug interactions, prices, recalls and shortages, drawn from official U.S. Food and Drug Administration and CMS data, all in words you can understand.
The picture in the data
Across the medications we track, switching to a generic cuts the average price by 85%, yet 35 are in an active FDA shortage right now.
- 682+
- FDA-approved drugs tracked
- 85% less
- avg generic vs brand price (147 drugs)
- 35
- drugs in an active shortage
- 103
- Class I recalls (most serious)
Compiled by the PlainMeds Editorial Team. Every figure is drawn directly from FDA labeling, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing, and the FDA drug shortage and recall databases, and is dated on each page.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
Medication Safety at a Glance
Categories
22
Therapeutic categories
Interactions
3,919
Known drug-drug pairs
Recalls
1179
FDA recall alerts
Top drug categories by medication count
- Mental Health
Mental Health
77
- Antibiotics
Antibiotics
56
- Pain Relief
Pain Relief
55
- Blood Pressure
Blood Pressure
54
- Diabetes
Diabetes
43
- Infections
Infections
41
- Skin
Skin
41
- Acid Reflux & St..
Acid Reflux & Stomach
38
What this shows Mental Health is the largest therapeutic category in the catalogue, with 77 tracked medications.
How much do generics save?
Generic-vs-brand price gap across drugs priced both ways
96% Top 52% higher than 48% of 147 priced drugs
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more priced drugs. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC)
Popular Medications
adalimumab
TNF-Alpha Inhibitor (Biologic)Brands: Humira
View details →
etanercept
TNF-Alpha Inhibitor (Biologic)Brands: Enbrel
View details →
aspirin
Antiplatelet / NSAIDBrands: Bayer, Ecotrin
View details →
prednisone
CorticosteroidBrands: Deltasone, Rayos
View details →
acetaminophen
Analgesic / AntipyreticBrands: Tylenol
View details →
dupilumab
Anti-IL-4/IL-13 Monoclonal AntibodyBrands: Dupixent
View details →
methotrexate
Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug (DMARD)Brands: Trexall, Otrexup
View details →
furosemide
Loop DiureticBrands: Lasix
View details →
Browse by Category
Acid Reflux & Stomach
38Allergies
19Antibiotics
56Blood Pressure
54Blood Thinners
16Cholesterol
22Diabetes
43Eye Care
21Heart
31Hormones
34Infections
41Mental Health
77Muscle Relaxants
10Osteoporosis
9Pain Relief
55Respiratory
36Seizures & Nerve Pain
23Skin
41Sleep
10Thyroid
5Urinary
18Vitamins & Supplements
23Recent Recalls
Class II June 4, 2026
CGMP Deviations: Presence of N-nitroso-duloxetine impurity above FDA recommended interim limit
Breckenridge Pharmaceutical, Inc. duloxetine →
Class II June 4, 2026
CGMP Deviations: Presence of N-nitroso-duloxetine impurity above FDA recommended interim limit
Breckenridge Pharmaceutical, Inc. duloxetine →
Class III June 3, 2026
Cross Contamination with Other Products: due to a potential for cross-contamination with Acemetacin API due to an issue at the API manufacturer.
Amneal Pharmaceuticals, LLC primidone →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
Dangerous combinations, common risks, and how to protect yourself.
How Drug Interactions Work
Pharmacokinetic vs pharmacodynamic mechanisms and the CYP450 enzyme system.
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA bioequivalence rules, real cost savings, and when the difference matters.
FDA Drug Recalls Explained
What recall Class I, II, and III mean, and what to do if your drug is affected.
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why warfarin, digoxin, and lithium demand precise dosing and close monitoring.
Pain Relievers Compared
NSAIDs vs acetaminophen, which OTC pain reliever to use, and the safety limits.
All medication guides → Drug rankings → Research & analysis → Drug safety statistics →
Why PlainMeds?
PlainMeds takes official FDA drug label data and translates it into language anyone can understand. No medical jargon, no paywalls, just clear facts about your medications, including side effects, interactions, and safety warnings.
This site is an informational resource, not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before making changes to your medication regimen.
Data sourced from FDA Drug Labels (SPL) and FAERS adverse event reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does PlainMeds get its drug information?
All drug data comes from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug database, including approved medications, their labels, active ingredients, and safety information.
Does PlainMeds replace medical advice?
No. PlainMeds is an informational tool that presents FDA data in plain language. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist about medications.
Is PlainMeds free?
Yes, PlainMeds is completely free. You can search drugs, check interactions, and find alternatives without any account or subscription.
What are the drug interaction pages?
Our interaction checker shows known drug-drug interactions from FDA data. We cover 3,919 interaction pairs, showing severity levels and clinical significance to help patients have informed discussions with their healthcare providers.