The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants to warn consumers about the possible dangers of buying medicines over the Internet. Some websites sell prescription and over-the-counter drugs that may not be safe to use and could put people's health at risk.

There are more opportunities today than ever before to learn about your health and to take better care of yourself. It is also more important than ever to know about the medicines you take. If you take several different medicines, see more than one doctor, or have certain health conditions, you and your doctors need to be aware of all the medicines you take. Doing so will help you to avoid potential problems such as drug interactions.

Your pharmacist can help you learn how to use your prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines safely and to increase the benefits and decrease the risks. You can also use these tips when talking with your other healthcare professionals.

Although medicines can make you feel better and help you get well, it's important to know that ALL medicines, both prescription and over-the-counter, have risks as well as benefits.

When it comes to using medicine, there is no such thing as completely safe. All medicines have risks. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a drug means that the benefits outweigh the known risks that are outlined on the drug's label.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are medicines that work to decrease the amount of acid in the stomach. They are available both as prescription and as over-the-counter medicines. Prescription PPIs treat conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcers in the stomach and small intestine, and inflammation of the esophagus. Over-the-counter PPIs are used to treat frequent heartburn.

Whether it’s because of the flu or seasonal allergies, diabetes or epilepsy, pregnant women must often take prescription medication—usually while worrying about the potential impact on their developing babies.

Can carrying around a brochure help save your life? Yes, if it's the "My Medicines" brochure offered by FDA's Office of Women's Health (OWH). It's designed to help consumers track the medicines they use.