openFDA API
Overview
openFDA provides free public access to FDA datasets covering drug adverse events, product recalls, medical device reports, and food safety alerts. You can query millions of records using a flexible API without authentication for basic use, though an API key raises your rate limit. It is an excellent starting point for pharmaceutical research tools and safety monitoring apps.
Beginner Tip
Use the search parameter with field:value syntax (e.g., patient.drug.medicinalproduct:"aspirin") and always include a limit to avoid downloading millions of records at once.
Available Data
Example Response
{
"recipe": "Chicken Stir Fry",
"calories": 380,
"protein_g": 32,
"carbs_g": 28,
"fat_g": 14,
"ingredients": [
"chicken breast",
"bell pepper",
"soy sauce",
"garlic"
],
"prep_time_minutes": 20
} Field Reference
meta Metadata including disclaimer, license, last updated date, and result counts. results Array of matching records (drug events, recalls, or device reports depending on endpoint). total Total number of records matching the search query across all pages. skip Number of records skipped for pagination. limit Maximum number of records returned in this response. safetyreportid Unique identifier for a drug adverse event safety report. Implementation Example
const url = "https://open.fda.gov/";
// Replace headers or query params with the values required by this API.
const response = await fetch(url, {
headers: {
"X-API-Key": "YOUR_API_KEY"
}
});
if (!response.ok) throw new Error(`Request failed: ${response.status}`);
const data = await response.json();
console.log(data); What Can You Build?
Note: These code examples are AI-generated and unverified. Always refer to the official API documentation for accurate usage.
Common Errors & Troubleshooting
Matrix Score Breakdown
Partially tested on Apr 5, 2026
Technical Specifications
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