Well-known birth control pills such as Yaz and Yasmin need stronger warnings about the risk of blood clots, an FDA advisory committee reportedly recommended last week. This comes on the heels of the agency’s recently released analysis showing the drugs pose a greater risk of clots compared to older birth control pills. The FDA acknowledged that other studies have not found such an increase. With all the controversy, where does this leave women who take Yaz and related oral contraceptives?

When it comes to relieving depression, none of the 13 available second-generation antidepressants, such as Cymbalta, Prozac and Zoloft, are any better than older drugs, according to a study out yesterday in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff often do a terrible job of talking with patients about the medications they take while they’re in the hospital, according to our updated hospital Ratings published this month. More than half of the hospitals we Rated got our lowest score in that measure, and an additional 30 percent received our second lowest Rating.

The cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor goes generic tomorrow, but you won’t save a lot of money switching to it, at least for now. And even if it could help you save money, it's important to know that Lipitor is often not the best first choice for people who need to lower their LDL (bad) cholesterol.

It's long been known that large doses of acetaminophen (Tylenol and generic) taken all at once can be fatal. But it turns out that cumulative smaller doses that exceed the maximum daily amount might be even riskier. These so-called staggered overdoses are more likely to damage the liver and other organs and increase the risk of dying, according to a study published today in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

The Department of Justice announced a $950 million settlement with the second-largest U.S. drugmaker, Merck, Sharp & Dohme for its illegal promotion of its Vioxx painkiller in 2004. The drug, rofecoxib, was pulled from store shelves seven years ago when studies linked increased risks of heart attacks and strokes, even after patients stop taking the medicine.

The Food and Drug Administration announced its decision today to revoke the approval of the drug bevacizumab (Avastin) for treatment of metastatic breast cancer, which works by preventing new blood vessels from forming, starving a tumor of its blood supply.

The popular anti-smoking drug varenicline, which is sold under the brand names Chantix and Champix, is more strongly linked to suicide, suicide attempts, and depression than some other common smoking-cessation aids, according to a study out today in the online medical journal PLoS One.

President Obama is directing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to reduce and prevent prescription drug shortages, as well as prevent price gouging.

The most prevalent financial problem Americans face month in month out is the inability to afford their medicines. That’s according to a monthly national poll by Consumer Reports National Research Center. Indeed, medication in the U.S. can cost up to twice as much as it does in other parts of the world, so many bargain hunters turn to the Web seeking discounted, name-brand prescription drugs from Canada or other countries. But recent analysis has found that buyers should beware: Only a fraction of online pharmacies are legitimate. Our medical consultants say that given such risks, ordering from foreign websites should be avoided altogether.

The erectile dysfunction drug Cialis (tadalafil) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration late Thursday for the treatment of urinary problems in men due to an enlarged prostate. But we still think other options, including lifestyle changes and, if necessary, inexpensive generic medications, should be tried first.

Lack of money to pay for medical bills and medications is consistently the top financial concern for Americans, according to findings from an ongoing, monthly Consumer Reports Index survey. And this year especially, financial pressures are leading more people to take potentially dangerous actions with prescription drugs.

If Hurricane Irene left you with flooding and water damage, chances are food, drinking water, and even medicines in your home were affected, exposing you and your family to potential illness and other serious health risks. To lessen these risks, the Food and Drug Administration is recommending that you discard any drug products—even those in their original containers—that have come into contact with flood or contaminated water. That includes capsules, tablets, and liquids in drug containers with screw-top caps, snap lids, or droppers and injections, inhalers, and skin medications. If needed, contact your doctor or pharmacist for replacements.

People should not take more than 40 milligrams a day of the antidepressant citalopram (Celexa and generic) because higher doses appear to trigger potentially fatal heart rhythm problems, the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday. People at greatest risk include those with heart conditions or low potassium or magnesium levels.

Seasonal flu shots have already begun arriving at drug stores across the country, for $32 for people paying out of pocket. Since the outbreak of the H1N1 flu two years ago, and the recent recommendation that all people older than 6 months get vaccinated, drug manufacturers have ramped up production. That means more doses, and earlier supplies. But the flu season doesn’t usually get going until the fall and winter. Is August too early to get the shot?