# PubMed API

> PubMed provides medical and life-science articles, abstracts, and publication details as a workflow and API.

Search articles finds medical and life-science articles with publication details and available free full-text links, using a required topic. Get article returns an article’s abstract and publication details, using its title, PubMed link, or PubMed number.

- Page: https://fous.com/tools/pubmed
- Handle: `@pubmed`
- Category: [Health](https://fous.com/tools/category/health)
- Source website: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Last verified: Sep 28, 2026

## Methods

### Get article

Operation `get_article`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

Get the full PubMed abstract and publication details for one article by title, PubMed link, or PubMed number. Some articles do not have an abstract or free full text.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `article` | string | yes | `"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32986097/"` | Article title, PubMed link, or PubMed number. Example: Effects of intermittent fasting on health, aging, and disease |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "article"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "article": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Article title, PubMed link, or PubMed number. Example: Effects of intermittent fasting on health, aging, and disease",
      "examples": [
        "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32986097/",
        "Effects of intermittent fasting on health, aging, and disease",
        "31881139"
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "article": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32986097/"
    },
    {
      "article": "Effects of intermittent fasting on health, aging, and disease"
    },
    {
      "article": "31881139"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `issue` | string or null | `"11"` |  |
| `pages` | string or null | `"1491-1499"` |  |
| `title` | string | `"Effects of Time-Restricted Eating on Weight Loss and Other Metabolic Parameters in Women and Men With Overweight and Ob` |  |
| `volume` | string or null | `"180"` |  |
| `authors` | array |  |  |
| `authors[].name` | string | `"Dylan A Lowe"` |  |
| `authors[].affiliations` | array |  |  |
| `journal` | string or null | `"JAMA internal medicine"` |  |
| `abstract` | string or null |  |  |
| `doi_link` | string or null | `"https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.4153"` |  |
| `keywords` | array |  |  |
| `pubmed_id` | string | `"32986097"` |  |
| `mesh_terms` | array |  |  |
| `pubmed_link` | string | `"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32986097/"` |  |
| `publication_date` | string or null | `"2020-11-01"` |  |
| `publication_types` | array |  |  |
| `free_full_text_link` | string or null | `"https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7522780/"` |  |
| `conflict_of_interest` | string or null |  |  |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "article": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32986097/"
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "issue": "11",
  "pages": "1491-1499",
  "title": "Effects of Time-Restricted Eating on Weight Loss and Other Metabolic Parameters in Women and Men With Overweight and Obesity: The TREAT Randomized Clinical Trial.",
  "volume": "180",
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Dylan A Lowe",
      "affiliations": [
        "Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco."
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Nancy Wu",
      "affiliations": [
        "Cardiology Division, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco.",
        "Center for Vulnerable Populations, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco."
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Linnea Rohdin-Bibby",
      "affiliations": [
        "Cardiology Division, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco."
      ]
    }
  ],
  "journal": "JAMA internal medicine",
  "abstract": "IMPORTANCE: The efficacy and safety of time-restricted eating have not been explored in large randomized clinical trials.\n\nOBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of 16:8-hour time-restricted eating on wei…",
  "doi_link": "https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.4153",
  "keywords": [],
  "pubmed_id": "32986097",
  "mesh_terms": [
    "Adult",
    "Blood Glucose / metabolism",
    "Body Mass Index"
  ],
  "pubmed_link": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32986097/",
  "publication_date": "2020-11-01",
  "publication_types": [
    "Journal Article",
    "Randomized Controlled Trial",
    "Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural"
  ],
  "free_full_text_link": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7522780/",
  "conflict_of_interest": "Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr Lowe reported personal fees from Keyto outside the submitted work. Dr Vittinghoff reported personal fees from UCSF during the conduct of the study. Dr Heymsfield r…"
}
```

### Search articles

Operation `search_articles`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

Find PubMed medical and life-science articles by topic, with publication details and available free full-text links. Dates may be partial, and some records have no abstract or confirmed free full-text link.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `sort` | string | no | `"newest"` | Order by relevance or newest publication, for example newest. |
| `query` | string | yes | `"intermittent fasting blood pressure"` | Topic in plain words, for example intermittent fasting blood pressure. |
| `end_year` | integer | no | `2024` | Last publication year, for example 2024. |
| `start_year` | integer | no | `2022` | First publication year, for example 2020. |
| `max_results` | integer | no | `5` | Maximum number of articles to return, for example 20 (up to 100). |
| `article_type` | string | no | `"systematic_review"` | Article type, for example systematic_review. |
| `free_full_text_only` | boolean | no | `true` | Only include articles PubMed marks as free full text, for example true. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "query"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "sort": {
      "enum": [
        "relevance",
        "newest"
      ],
      "type": "string",
      "default": "relevance",
      "description": "Order by relevance or newest publication, for example newest.",
      "examples": [
        "newest"
      ]
    },
    "query": {
      "type": "string",
      "minLength": 1,
      "description": "Topic in plain words, for example intermittent fasting blood pressure.",
      "examples": [
        "intermittent fasting blood pressure",
        "zzzzquorpleflibbertynonsense842699"
      ]
    },
    "end_year": {
      "type": "integer",
      "maximum": 2100,
      "minimum": 1800,
      "description": "Last publication year, for example 2024.",
      "examples": [
        2024
      ]
    },
    "start_year": {
      "type": "integer",
      "maximum": 2100,
      "minimum": 1800,
      "description": "First publication year, for example 2020.",
      "examples": [
        2022
      ]
    },
    "max_results": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 20,
      "maximum": 100,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Maximum number of articles to return, for example 20 (up to 100).",
      "x-fous-developer": true,
      "examples": [
        5,
        3
      ]
    },
    "article_type": {
      "enum": [
        "any",
        "clinical_trial",
        "randomized_controlled_trial",
        "review",
        "systematic_review",
        "meta_analysis"
      ],
      "type": "string",
      "default": "any",
      "description": "Article type, for example systematic_review.",
      "examples": [
        "systematic_review"
      ]
    },
    "free_full_text_only": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "default": false,
      "description": "Only include articles PubMed marks as free full text, for example true.",
      "examples": [
        true
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "sort": "newest",
      "query": "intermittent fasting blood pressure",
      "end_year": 2024,
      "start_year": 2022,
      "max_results": 5,
      "article_type": "systematic_review",
      "free_full_text_only": true
    },
    {
      "query": "zzzzquorpleflibbertynonsense842699",
      "max_results": 3
    },
    {
      "query": "intermittent fasting blood pressure"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `articles` | array |  | Matching articles in the requested order. |
| `articles[].doi` | string or null | `"10.3390/nu16203533"` | Digital object identifier, when available. |
| `articles[].title` | string | `"Is Fasting Superior to Continuous Caloric Restriction for Weight Loss and Metabolic Outcomes in Obese Adults? A Systema` | Article title. |
| `articles[].authors` | string | `"Víctor Siles-Guerrero, Jose M Romero-Márquez, Rosa Natalia García-Pérez, et al."` | First three authors, followed by et al. if there are more. |
| `articles[].journal` | string or null | `"Nutrients"` | Journal name, when available. |
| `articles[].pubmed_id` | string | `"39458528"` | PubMed identifier. |
| `articles[].pubmed_link` | string | `"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39458528/"` | PubMed article page. |
| `articles[].article_type` | string or null | `"Meta-Analysis"` | PubMed publication type. |
| `articles[].abstract_excerpt` | string or null | `"BACKGROUND: fasting-based strategies (FBS) and continuous caloric restriction (CCR) are popular methods for weight loss` | First 300 characters of the abstract, when available. |
| `articles[].publication_date` | string or null | `"2024-10-18"` | Publication date, as YYYY-MM-DD, YYYY-MM, or YYYY when only part is known. |
| `articles[].free_full_text_link` | string or null | `"https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11510157/"` | A confirmed free full-text page, when available. |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "sort": "newest",
  "query": "intermittent fasting blood pressure",
  "end_year": 2024,
  "start_year": 2022,
  "max_results": 5,
  "article_type": "systematic_review",
  "free_full_text_only": true
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "articles": [
    {
      "doi": "10.3390/nu16203533",
      "title": "Is Fasting Superior to Continuous Caloric Restriction for Weight Loss and Metabolic Outcomes in Obese Adults? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.",
      "authors": "Víctor Siles-Guerrero, Jose M Romero-Márquez, Rosa Natalia García-Pérez, et al.",
      "journal": "Nutrients",
      "pubmed_id": "39458528",
      "pubmed_link": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39458528/",
      "article_type": "Meta-Analysis",
      "abstract_excerpt": "BACKGROUND: fasting-based strategies (FBS) and continuous caloric restriction (CCR) are popular methods for weight loss and improving metabolic health. FBS alternates between eating and fasting period…",
      "publication_date": "2024-10-18",
      "free_full_text_link": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11510157/"
    },
    {
      "doi": "10.1016/j.cjca.2024.02.004",
      "title": "Risks and Benefits of Intermittent Fasting for the Aging Cardiovascular System.",
      "authors": "Mualla Ozcan, Mahmoud Abdellatif, Ali Javaheri, et al.",
      "journal": "The Canadian journal of cardiology",
      "pubmed_id": "38354947",
      "pubmed_link": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38354947/",
      "article_type": "Systematic Review",
      "abstract_excerpt": "Population aging and the associated increase in cardiovascular disease rates pose serious threats to global public health. Different forms of fasting have become an increasingly attractive strategy to…",
      "publication_date": "2024-02-12",
      "free_full_text_link": "https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0828-282X(24)00092-8"
    }
  ]
}
```

## Quick start

Replace `YOUR_API_KEY` with a Fous API key. To create one, open Developers at the bottom of Fous Studio, turn on Developer mode, then go to API keys (https://app.fous.com/keys). Change the values in `input` to run the same tool on new data.

```bash
curl 'https://api.fous.com/v1/query' \
  --fail-with-body --silent --show-error --max-time 180 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-raw '{
  "api": "@pubmed",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "get_article",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "article": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32986097/"
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}'
```

```python
# Save as fous.py and run with python3 fous.py. No packages needed.
import json
import urllib.error
import urllib.request

api_key = "YOUR_API_KEY"

body = json.loads("{\n  \"api\": \"@pubmed\",\n  \"visibility\": \"public\",\n  \"operation\": \"get_article\",\n  \"version\": 1,\n  \"input\": {\n    \"article\": \"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32986097/\"\n  },\n  \"response\": {\n    \"format\": \"json\"\n  }\n}")
request = urllib.request.Request(
    "https://api.fous.com/v1/query",
    data=json.dumps(body).encode("utf-8"),
    headers={
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}",
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
    },
    method="POST",
)
try:
    with urllib.request.urlopen(request, timeout=180) as response:
        result = json.load(response)
except urllib.error.HTTPError as error:
    raise RuntimeError(f"HTTP {error.code}: {error.read().decode('utf-8', errors='replace')}") from error
if result.get("success") is False:
    raise RuntimeError(result.get("error", {}).get("message", "Request failed"))
print(json.dumps(result["data"]["output"], indent=2))
```

```typescript
// Save as fous.mts and run with npx tsx fous.mts.
const apiKey = "YOUR_API_KEY";

const response = await fetch("https://api.fous.com/v1/query", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Authorization": `Bearer ${apiKey}`,
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  signal: AbortSignal.timeout(180_000),
  body: JSON.stringify({
  "api": "@pubmed",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "get_article",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "article": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32986097/"
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}),
});
type ApiResult = { success: boolean; data?: { output: unknown }; error?: { message: string } };
const result: ApiResult = await response.json();
if (!response.ok || result.success === false) {
  throw new Error(result.error?.message ?? `HTTP ${response.status}`);
}
if (!result.data) throw new Error("Missing API response data");
console.log(result.data.output);
```

## Use from an AI assistant

Connect this tool to Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, Codex and any MCP client as its own MCP server. Each method is a typed tool whose arguments are the method’s input.

- Server URL: `https://api.fous.com/mcp/tools/pubmed`
- Authorization: `Authorization: Bearer <Fous API key>`

**Tools**

- `get_article`: Get article. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `search_articles`: Search articles. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `fous_get_run`: the result of a run that was still going, by its `request_id`. Free.

Claude Code:

```bash
claude mcp add --scope user --transport http fous-pubmed https://api.fous.com/mcp/tools/pubmed --header "Authorization: Bearer ${FOUS_API_KEY:?Set FOUS_API_KEY to your Fous API key}"
```

To give the assistant every tool, connect `https://api.fous.com/mcp`: it finds one with `fous_search_tools` and runs it with `fous_run_tool`. Setup for other clients: https://fous.com/llms-full.txt.

## Use cases

- Find articles about a medical or life-science topic
- Filter article searches by publication year or article type
- Identify articles marked as free full text
- Review an article’s abstract, authors, and journal
- Compare publication details across research articles

## FAQ

### Can I run it with my own inputs?

Yes. Change the inputs in Studio and press Run, or send new inputs from your code, or ask a connected AI assistant.

### Can I call this PubMed tool as an API?

Yes. Send a POST request to /v1/query with your Fous API key and the inputs, and get JSON back.

### How much does it cost?

Each completed run costs 1 credit. Failed runs without a completed receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted. With pay as you go, a credit costs 1¢. Monthly plans cost less per credit.

### Do I need a PubMed account?

No. You only need a Fous account.

### How current is the data?

Fous gets the data from pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov when you run it. Some results are reused for up to 24 hours, and results that use your account or key are never reused. It was last verified on Sep 28, 2026.

### Which articles discuss a specific topic?

Search articles finds matching records using a required topic, with optional date, article type, and free-full-text filters.

### What does a particular article’s abstract say?

Get article returns the full abstract and publication details when available. Provide the title, PubMed link, or PubMed number.

### When was an article published, and who wrote it?

Get article returns publication date and author details for a specified article.

## Related

- [MedlinePlus API](https://fous.com/tools/medlineplus.md): MedlinePlus provides health information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine, including condition and symptom overviews and explanations of tests with matching pages.
- [Semantic Scholar API](https://fous.com/tools/semantic-scholar.md): Semantic Scholar returns paper and citation search, paper abstracts, summaries, authors and influence, plus author metrics and up to 10 top-cited papers; dates, summaries, PDFs and affiliation matches may be unavailable.
- [NPR API](https://fous.com/tools/npr.md): NPR returns displayed section headlines, searchable articles with summaries and publication details, and available article text; date-filtered searches may miss older stories edited much later.
- [AP News API](https://fous.com/tools/ap-news.md): AP News provides reporting, up to 50 public-page headlines, searchable articles visible in its search, and full text when accessible.
- [arXiv API](https://fous.com/tools/arxiv.md): arXiv returns up to 100 matching research preprints or individual paper details, and newly announced subject papers in announcement order; announcement dates may differ from today, and replacements are excluded.
- [ClinicalTrials.gov API](https://fous.com/tools/clinicaltrials-gov.md): ClinicalTrials.gov helps users find studies and view public trial records, including sponsor-run or funded studies; site distances are approximate, and contacts, eligibility, or exact dates may be missing.
- [Medium API](https://fous.com/tools/medium.md): Medium returns public writer, publication, and topic articles, including newest posts and weekly popular picks, plus readable article text; member-only stories remain limited to visible previews.
- [bioRxiv API](https://fous.com/tools/biorxiv.md): Biology and medicine preprints from bioRxiv and medRxiv.
- [All Health tools](https://fous.com/tools/category/health)