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![man in a button down shirt prepares to swab his cheek with a long cotton swab at home](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xU2LHvzp5eEa7YkwDSuGse-320-80.jpg)
At-home DNA tests predict how you'll respond to drugs — but how well do they work?
By Philip Empey, Lucas Berenbrok, Kayla B. Rowe published
Pharmacogenomic, or PGx, tests predict how your genes might affect your response to medications. But they have their limitations.
![A close-up picture of a Brazilian wandering spider showing its eyes and mouthparts.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YcNd2CT6TNNtkCZc5R3EfG-320-80.jpg)
Move over, Viagra — this spider's boner-inducing venom could treat people let down by the blue pill
By Sascha Pare published
Scientists say a synthetic compound derived from Brazilian wandering spider venom could treat people with erectile dysfunction for whom drugs like Viagra don't work.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iX4u3mjW3EttGhEoLYYU7G-320-80.jpg)
Weight-loss products labeled as 'Nuez de la India' contain highly toxic yellow oleander, FDA warns
By Nicoletta Lanese published
The FDA warns that some products labeled to be "Nuez de la India" actually contain a poisonous plant called yellow oleander.
![a box labeled "sudafed PE, nasal decongestant" on a pharmacy shelf](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HPQg9DJzHo7HfuHBnuRS8c-320-80.jpg)
Leading ingredient in over-the-counter decongestants doesn't work, FDA panel rules
By Nicoletta Lanese published
The Food and Drug Administration reviewed data on phenylephrine, an ingredient in many popular decongestants, and deemed it ineffective when taken orally.
![Gloved doctor applies bandage to girl's arm following an immunization.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MPnvFTf5TXc3voc6QvjiEP-320-80.jpg)
When should you get a flu shot? What to know for the 2023-2024 flu season
By Nicoletta Lanese last updated
When should you get a flu shot, and which shot should people with egg allergies get? Here's CDC guidance for the 2023-2024 flu season.
![Young woman pouring small white pills from a bottle onto her hand as she sits on her living room floor](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GDT9iuxGsyMdkdLf5t9grb-320-80.jpg)
Blood clot risk linked to taking common painkillers alongside certain hormonal birth control
By Emily Cooke published
Using NSAIDs and hormonal birth control together increased the overall risk of blood clots in women in the study, but the researchers stressed that the overall risk is still low.
![two photos show a close up of an infant's dark brown eyes (left) and then show how his eyes turned blue (right) after he was given a specific antiviral drug](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iMoxH2aVUSKt9LcRLMqyBN-320-80.jpg)
Infant's dark-brown eyes suddenly turn indigo blue after COVID-19 antiviral treatment. But why?
By Carissa Wong published
In a rare case, the brown eyes of a 6-month-old boy with COVID-19 turned blue after he was given the antiviral favipiravir.
![Micrograph of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (mrsa), a bacterium with circular cells](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Att34weEspfR86HfAYVaYb-320-80.jpg)
New antibiotic that slays superbugs discovered in 'dark matter' microbes from North Carolina soil
By Carissa Wong published
Deadly superbugs are unlikely to develop resistance to a new antibiotic produced by bacteria, scientists say.
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