# Drugs.com API: Get drug overview

> Looks up a medicine by brand or generic name on Drugs.com and returns a plain-language overview: class, uses, availability, schedule, dosage forms, side effects, and pregnancy and breastfeeding notes.

Unofficial. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Drugs.com.

- Page: https://fous.com/methods/drugs.com/get-drug
- Method: `drugs.com/get_drug`, version 1
- Website: drugs.com
- Returns: name, generic name, brand names, drug class, uses, availability, schedule, dosage forms, side effects, pregnancy and breastfeeding notes, generic availability, page link
- Effect: read (it gets data and changes nothing)
- Sign-in: none needed
- Cost: 1 credit per completed run (1¢ with pay as you go); failed runs are free
- Verified: Nov 2, 2026

## Inputs

| Field | Type | Required | In the run below | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `medicine` | string | yes | `"ibuprofen"` | Brand or generic medicine name, for example Lipitor or ibuprofen. |

## Output

From a run on Oct 23, 2026, shortened. Its input:

```json
{
  "medicine": "ibuprofen"
}
```

Its output:

```json
{
  "name": "Ibuprofen",
  "used_for": "Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. Ibuprofen is used to reduce fever and treat pain or inflammation caused by many conditions such as headache , toothache , back pain , arthritis, menstrual cramps, o…",
  "page_link": "https://www.drugs.com/ibuprofen.html",
  "drug_class": "Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs)",
  "brand_names": [
    "Advil",
    "Genpril",
    "IBU"
  ],
  "availability": "Both prescription and over the counter",
  "generic_name": "ibuprofen",
  "pregnancy_notes": "Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are pregnant, you should not take ibuprofen unless your doctor tells you to. Taking an NSAID at 20 weeks or later in pregnancy can cause serious heart or kidney problems in the unborn baby and possible complications…",
  "generic_available": true,
  "breastfeeding_notes": "Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.",
  "common_side_effects": [
    "nausea, vomiting, gas",
    "bleeding",
    "dizziness , headache"
  ],
  "serious_side_effects": [
    "Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to ibuprofen ( hives , difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat , burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).",
    "Get emergency medical help if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke: chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, leg swelling, feeling short of breath.",
    "Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:"
  ],
  "dosage_forms_and_strengths": "oral capsule (200 mg), oral suspension (100 mg/5 mL; 50 mg/1.25 mL), oral tablet (100 mg; 200 mg; 400 mg; 600 mg; 800 mg),  oral tablet, chewable (100 mg; 50 mg)",
  "controlled_substance_schedule": null
}
```

## Run it

From code, with a Fous API key in `FOUS_API_KEY`; the answer's `data` holds the output:

```bash
curl https://api.fous.com/v1/runs \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $FOUS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"method":"drugs.com/get_drug","input":{"medicine":"ibuprofen"}}'
```

From an AI agent connected to the Fous MCP server: its `run` with the same method and input. To connect one, give it `set up https://fous.com/SKILL.md`.

## Ask your agent

- What is metformin used for, and what drug class does it belong to?
- Give me an overview of Lipitor including its uses and side effects.
- Is sertraline safe during breastfeeding and pregnancy?
- Drugs.com info on ibuprofen: dosage forms, schedule, and whether a generic is available.
- What are the common side effects and uses of amoxicillin 500 mg capsules?

## Input schema

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "medicine"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "medicine": {
      "type": "string",
      "minLength": 1,
      "description": "Brand or generic medicine name, for example Lipitor or ibuprofen."
    }
  }
}
```

## Output schema

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "name",
    "generic_name",
    "brand_names",
    "drug_class",
    "used_for",
    "availability",
    "controlled_substance_schedule",
    "common_side_effects",
    "serious_side_effects",
    "dosage_forms_and_strengths",
    "pregnancy_notes",
    "breastfeeding_notes",
    "generic_available",
    "page_link"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "name": {
      "type": [
        "string",
        "null"
      ],
      "description": "Medicine name."
    },
    "used_for": {
      "type": [
        "string",
        "null"
      ],
      "description": "Short description of what it treats."
    },
    "page_link": {
      "type": [
        "string",
        "null"
      ],
      "description": "Medicine page link."
    },
    "drug_class": {
      "type": [
        "string",
        "null"
      ],
      "description": "Drug class."
    },
    "brand_names": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "string"
      },
      "description": "Other brand names."
    },
    "availability": {
      "type": [
        "string",
        "null"
      ],
      "description": "Prescription only, over the counter, or both."
    },
    "generic_name": {
      "type": [
        "string",
        "null"
      ],
      "description": "Generic medicine name."
    },
    "pregnancy_notes": {
      "type": [
        "string",
        "null"
      ],
      "description": "Pregnancy guidance."
    },
    "generic_available": {
      "type": [
        "boolean",
        "null"
      ],
      "description": "Whether a generic version is available, or null when not stated."
    },
    "breastfeeding_notes": {
      "type": [
        "string",
        "null"
      ],
      "description": "Breastfeeding guidance."
    },
    "common_side_effects": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "string"
      },
      "description": "Common side effects."
    },
    "serious_side_effects": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "string"
      },
      "description": "Serious symptoms and side effects."
    },
    "dosage_forms_and_strengths": {
      "type": [
        "string",
        "null"
      ],
      "description": "Available dosage forms and strengths listed on the medicine page."
    },
    "controlled_substance_schedule": {
      "type": [
        "string",
        "null"
      ],
      "description": "Schedule in words if controlled, otherwise null."
    }
  }
}
```

## See more

- [Drugs.com API: Get drug prices](https://fous.com/methods/drugs.com/get-drug-prices.md): Gets the US cash prices Drugs.com lists for a brand or generic medicine by strength, dosage form and quantity, optionally filtered. Where a range is listed the lower price is returned.
- [Drugs.com API: Check drug interactions](https://fous.com/methods/drugs.com/check-drug-interactions.md): Checks 2 to 10 medicine names together on the Drugs.com interaction checker and returns drug-to-drug interactions and food or lifestyle warnings, most severe first, plus the names it could not recognise.
- [Drugs.com API: Identify pill by imprint](https://fous.com/methods/drugs.com/identify-pill.md): Finds possible pill matches on the Drugs.com pill identifier by imprint, optionally narrowed by color and shape, with each pill's labeler.
- [FDA API: Get drug label](https://fous.com/methods/open.fda.gov/get-drug-label.md): Finds the latest FDA drug label for a brand or generic medicine and returns its uses, directions, warnings, ingredients and a DailyMed link.
- [NHS API: Get medicine guidance](https://fous.com/methods/nhs.uk/get-medicine.md): Looks up a medicine in the NHS medicines A to Z and returns its guidance: uses, key facts, who can take it, how to take it, side effects, pregnancy and interactions. Sections absent from NHS guidance are null; a plain name with separate adult and child pages selects the adult page.
- [Cost Plus Drugs API: Get drug price](https://fous.com/methods/costplusdrugs.com/get-drug-price.md): Looks up a medicine at Cost Plus Drugs by generic or brand name and returns the listed price and its breakdown for a strength, form and quantity, with the strengths and forms on offer. The drug price excludes shipping and taxes; standard shipping is shown separately.
- [FDA API: Get reported side effects](https://fous.com/methods/open.fda.gov/get-reported-side-effects.md): Lists the most frequently reported reaction terms for a brand or generic medicine in FDA adverse-event reports, with counts and the share of all matching reports. Reports do not establish causation.
- [FDA API: Search drug recalls](https://fous.com/methods/open.fda.gov/search-drug-recalls.md): Finds FDA drug enforcement recalls by medicine or company name, newest first, with status, class, reason and quantity. Recent recalls may not yet appear.
- [All Drugs.com methods](https://fous.com/methods/drugs.com.md)