FDA Drug Database

The openFDA drug database is a publicly available dataset maintained by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It contains information on FDA-approved drug products including brand names, generic names, active ingredients, indications, warnings, and adverse reactions.

Prescription drugs require authorization from a licensed healthcare provider and can only be dispensed by a pharmacist with a valid prescription. OTC (over-the-counter) drugs are considered safe enough for self-administration and can be purchased without a prescription.

Adverse reactions are unintended harmful responses to a drug at normal doses. They are formally documented in clinical studies and post-marketing surveillance. Side effects is a broader, more colloquial term that includes both harmful and minor effects that occur alongside the intended therapeutic effect.

Search for the brand-name drug on this site, then check the Generic Name field on the drug detail page. You can also search directly by generic name (e.g., "ibuprofen" instead of "Advil") to see all products containing that active ingredient.

Drug data is sourced directly from openFDA, which is updated regularly by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist for the most current prescribing information and personalized medical advice.

Pharmacological class (pharmClass) categorizes a drug based on its mechanism of action, chemical structure, or therapeutic use. For example, "Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug [EPC]" describes drugs like ibuprofen. This helps group drugs with similar actions.