openFDA
APIFree public API for FDA-regulated drug, device, and food data
Overview
openFDA provides RESTful endpoints to access public FDA data on drugs (adverse events, labeling, NDC directories), medical devices (recalls, adverse events, 510(k) clearances), foods (recalls, outbreak data), and tobacco products. Responses are JSON-formatted, supporting filtering, pagination, and sorting. Use cases include building drug safety monitoring tools, medical device recall alert systems, food safety tracking apps, or academic research on FDA-regulated products. No API key is required for most endpoints, though rate limits are enforced to maintain service stability.
Example Integration (JavaScript)
fetch('https://open.fda.gov')
.then(res => res.json())
.then(data => console.log(data))
.catch(err => console.error(err)); Key Features
- RESTful API
- JSON response format
- No API key required (most endpoints)
- Filtering & pagination support
- Covers drugs, devices, foods, tobacco data
Frequently Asked Questions
? Is openFDA free to use?
Yes, openFDA is completely free for public use with no subscription or payment required.
? Does openFDA require an API key?
No, most openFDA endpoints do not require an API key, though rate limits apply to ensure fair usage.
? What is the response format?
openFDA returns data in JSON format, which is widely compatible with most programming languages and tools.
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Tool Info
Pros
- ⊕ Free public access
- ⊕ Comprehensive FDA data coverage
- ⊕ Easy JSON integration
- ⊕ Well-documented endpoints
- ⊕ Supports filtering/sorting
Cons
- ⊖ Rate-limited usage
- ⊖ No service level agreement (SLA)
- ⊖ Some datasets have delayed updates
- ⊖ Limited advanced analytics