Skills › Research & Science › Bioinformatics & life science
fda-database
Query openFDA API for drugs, devices, adverse events, recalls, regulatory submissions (510k, PMA), substance identification (UNII), for FDA regulatory data analysis and safety research.
Tools: requests
The full skill
—
name: fda-database
description: Query openFDA API for drugs, devices, adverse events, recalls, regulatory submissions (510k, PMA), substance identification (UNII), for FDA regulatory data analysis and safety research.
license: Unknown
metadata:
skill-author: K-Dense Inc.
—
# FDA Database Access
## Overview
Access comprehensive FDA regulatory data through openFDA, the FDA's initiative to provide open APIs for public datasets. Query information about drugs, medical devices, foods, animal/veterinary products, and substances using Python with standardized interfaces.
**Key capabilities:**
– Query adverse events for drugs, devices, foods, and veterinary products
– Access product labeling, approvals, and regulatory submissions
– Monitor recalls and enforcement actions
– Look up National Drug Codes (NDC) and substance identifiers (UNII)
– Analyze device classifications and clearances (510k, PMA)
– Track drug shortages and supply issues
– Research chemical structures and substance relationships
## When to Use This Skill
This skill should be used when working with:
– **Drug research**: Safety profiles, adverse events, labeling, approvals, shortages
– **Medical device surveillance**: Adverse events, recalls, 510(k) clearances, PMA approvals
– **Food safety**: Recalls, allergen tracking, adverse events, dietary supplements
– **Veterinary medicine**: Animal drug adverse events by species and breed
– **Chemical/substance data**: UNII lookup, CAS number mapping, molecular structures
– **Regulatory analysis**: Approval pathways, enforcement actions, compliance tracking
– **Pharmacovigilance**: Post-market surveillance, safety signal detection
– **Scientific research**: Drug interactions, comparative safety, epidemiological studies
## Quick Start
### 1. Basic Setup
“`python
from scripts.fda_query import FDAQuery
# Initialize (API key optional but recommended)
fda = FDAQuery(api_key="YOUR_API_KEY")
# Query drug adverse events
events = fda.query_drug_events("aspirin", limit=100)
# Get drug labeling
label = fda.query_drug_label("Lipitor", brand=True)
# Search device recalls
recalls = fda.query("device", "enforcement",
search="classification:Class+I",
limit=50)
“`
### 2. API Key Setup
While the API works without a key, registering provides higher rate limits:
– **Without key**: 240 requests/min, 1,000/day
– **With key**: 240 requests/min, 120,000/day
Register at: https://open.fda.gov/apis/authentication/
Set as environment variable:
“`bash
export FDA_API_KEY="your_key_here"
“`
### 3. Running Examples
“`bash
# Run comprehensive examples
python scripts/fda_examples.py
# This demonstrates:
# – Drug safety profiles
# – Device surveillance
# – Food recall monitoring
# – Substance lookup
# – Comparative drug analysis
# – Veterinary drug analysis
“`
## FDA Database Categories
### Drugs
Access 6 drug-related endpoints covering the full drug lifecycle from approval to post-market surveillance.
**Endpoints:**
1. **Adverse Events** – Reports of side effects, errors, and therapeutic failures
2. **Product Labeling** – Prescribing information, warnings, indications
3. **NDC Directory** – National Drug Code product information
4. **Enforcement Reports** – Drug recalls and safety actions
5. **Drugs@FDA** – Historical approval data since 1939
6. **Drug Shortages** – Current and resolved supply issues
**Common use cases:**
“`python
# Safety signal detection
fda.count_by_field("drug", "event",
search="patient.drug.medicinalproduct:metformin",
field="patient.reaction.reactionmeddrapt")
# Get prescribing information
label = fda.query_drug_label("Keytruda", brand=True)
# Check for recalls
recalls = fda.query_drug_recalls(drug_name="metformin")
# Monitor shortages
shortages = fda.query("drug", "drugshortages",
search="status:Currently+in+Shortage")
“`
**Reference:** See `references/drugs.md` for detailed documentation
### Devices
Access 9 device-related endpoints covering medical device safety, approvals, and registrations.
**Endpoints:**
1. **Adverse Events** – Device malfunctions, injuries, deaths
2. **510(k) Clearances** – Premarket notifications
3. **Classification** – Device categories and risk classes
4. **Enforcement Reports** – Device recalls
5. **Recalls** – Detailed recall information
6. **PMA** – Premarket approval data for Class III devices
7. **Registrations & Listings** – Manufacturing facility data
8. **UDI** – Unique Device Identification database
9. **COVID-19 Serology** – Antibody test performance data
**Common use cases:**
“`python
# Monitor device safety
events = fda.query_device_events("pacemaker", limit=100)
# Look up device classification
classification = fda.query_device_classification("DQY")
# Find 510(k) clearances
clearances = fda.query_device_510k(applicant="Medtronic")
# Search by UDI
device_info = fda.query("device", "udi",
search="identifiers.id:00884838003019")
“`
**Reference:** See `references/devices.md` for detailed documentation
### Foods
Access 2 food-related endpoints for safety monitoring and recalls.
**Endpoints:**
1. **Adverse Events** – Food, dietary supplement, and cosmetic events
2. **Enforcement Reports** – Food product recalls
**Common use cases:**
“`python
# Monitor allergen recalls
recalls = fda.query_food_recalls(reason="undeclared peanut")
# Track dietary supplement events
events = fda.query_food_events(
industry="Dietary Supplements")
# Find contamination recalls
listeria = fda.query_food_recalls(
reason="listeria",
classification="I")
“`
**Reference:** See `references/foods.md` for detailed documentation
### Animal & Veterinary
Access veterinary drug adverse event data with species-specific information.
**Endpoint:**
1. **Adverse Events** – Animal drug side effects by species, breed, and product
**Common use cases:**
“`python
# Species-specific events
dog_events = fda.query_animal_events(
species="Dog",
drug_name="flea collar")
# Breed predisposition analysis
breed_query = fda.query("animalandveterinary", "event",
search="reaction.veddra_term_name:*seizure*+AND+"
"animal.breed.breed_component:*Labrador*")
“`
**Reference:** See `references/animal_veterinary.md` for detailed documentation
### Substances & Other
Access molecular-level substance data with UNII codes, chemical structures, and relationships.
**Endpoints:**
1. **Substance Data** – UNII, CAS, chemical structures, relationships
2. **NSDE** – Historical substance data (legacy)
**Common use cases:**
“`python
# UNII to CAS mapping
substance = fda.query_substance_by_unii("R16CO5Y76E")
# Search by name
results = fda.query_substance_by_name("acetaminophen")
# Get chemical structure
structure = fda.query("other", "substance",
search="names.name:ibuprofen+AND+substanceClass:chemical")
“`
**Reference:** See `references/other.md` for detailed documentation
## Common Query Patterns
### Pattern 1: Safety Profile Analysis
Create comprehensive safety profiles combining multiple data sources:
“`python
def drug_safety_profile(fda, drug_name):
"""Generate complete safety profile."""
# 1. Total adverse events
events = fda.query_drug_events(drug_name, limit=1)
total = events["meta"]["results"]["total"]
# 2. Most common reactions
reactions = fda.count_by_field(
"drug", "event",
search=f"patient.drug.medicinalproduct:*{drug_name}*",
field="patient.reaction.reactionmeddrapt",
exact=True
)
# 3. Serious events
serious = fda.query("drug", "event",
search=f"patient.drug.medicinalproduct:*{drug_name}*+AND+serious:1",
limit=1)
# 4. Recent recalls
recalls = fda.query_drug_recalls(drug_name=drug_name)
return {
"total_events": total,
"top_reactions": reactions["results"][:10],
"serious_events": serious["meta"]["results"]["total"],
"recalls": recalls["results"]
}
“`
### Pattern 2: Temporal Trend Analysis
Analyze trends over time using date ranges:
“`python
from datetime import datetime, timedelta
def get_monthly_trends(fda, drug_name, months=12):
"""Get monthly adverse event trends."""
trends = []
for i in range(months):
end = datetime.now() – timedelta(days=30*i)
start = end – timedelta(days=30)
date_range = f"[{start.strftime('%Y%m%d')}+TO+{end.strftime('%Y%m%d')}]"
search = f"patient.drug.medicinalproduct:*{drug_name}*+AND+receivedate:{date_range}"
result = fda.query("drug", "event", search=search, limit=1)
count = result["meta"]["results"]["total"] if "meta" in result else 0
trends.append({
"month": start.strftime("%Y-%m"),
"events": count
})
return trends
“`
### Pattern 3: Comparative Analysis
Compare multiple products side-by-side:
“`python
def compare_drugs(fda, drug_list):
"""Compare safety profiles of multiple drugs."""
comparison = {}
for drug in drug_list:
# Total events
events = fda.query_drug_events(drug, limit=1)
total = events["meta"]["results"]["total"] if "meta" in events else 0
# Serious events
serious = fda.query("drug", "event",
search=f"patient.drug.medicinalproduct:*{drug}*+AND+serious:1",
limit=1)
serious_count = serious["meta"]["results"]["total"] if "meta" in serious else 0
comparison[drug] = {
"total_events": total,
"serious_events": serious_count,
"serious_rate": (serious_count/total*100) if total > 0 else 0
}
return comparison
“`
### Pattern 4: Cross-Database Lookup
Link data across multiple endpoints:
“`python
def comprehensive_device_lookup(fda, device_name):
"""Look up device across all relevant databases."""
return {
"adverse_events": fda.query_device_events(device_name, limit=10),
"510k_clearances": fda.query_device_510k(device_name=device_name),
"recalls": fda.query("device", "enforcement",
search=f"product_description:*{device_name}*"),
"udi_info": fda.query("device", "udi",
search=f"brand_name:*{device_name}*")
}
“`
## Working with Results
### Response Structure
All API responses follow this structure:
“`python
{
"meta": {
"disclaimer": "…",
"results": {
"skip": 0,
"limit": 100,
"total": 15234
}
},
"results": [
# Array of result objects
]
}
“`
### Error Handling
Always handle potential errors:
“`python
result = fda.query_drug_events("aspirin", limit=10)
if "error" in result:
print(f"Error: {result['error']}")
elif "results" not in result or len(result["resultsf:T2e17,# FDA Animal and Veterinary Databases
This reference covers FDA animal and veterinary medicine API endpoints accessible through openFDA.
## Overview
The FDA animal and veterinary databases provide access to information about adverse events related to animal drugs and veterinary medical products. These databases help monitor the safety of products used in companion animals, livestock, and other animals.
## Available Endpoints
### Animal Drug Adverse Events
**Endpoint**: `https://api.fda.gov/animalandveterinary/event.json`
**Purpose**: Access reports of side effects, product use errors, product quality problems, and therapeutic failures associated with animal drugs.
**Data Source**: FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) Adverse Event Reporting System
**Key Fields**:
– `unique_aer_id_number` – Unique adverse event report identifier
– `report_id` – Report ID number
– `receiver.organization` – Organization receiving report
– `receiver.street_address` – Receiver address
– `receiver.city` – Receiver city
– `receiver.state` – Receiver state
– `receiver.postal_code` – Receiver postal code
– `receiver.country` – Receiver country
– `primary_reporter` – Primary reporter type (e.g., veterinarian, owner)
– `onset_date` – Date adverse event began
– `animal.species` – Animal species affected
– `animal.gender` – Animal gender
– `animal.age.min` – Minimum age
– `animal.age.max` – Maximum age
– `animal.age.unit` – Age unit (days, months, years)
– `animal.age.qualifier` – Age qualifier
– `animal.breed.is_crossbred` – Whether crossbred
– `animal.breed.breed_component` – Breed(s)
– `animal.weight.min` – Minimum weight
– `animal.weight.max` – Maximum weight
– `animal.weight.unit` – Weight unit
– `animal.female_animal_physiological_status` – Reproductive status
– `animal.reproductive_status` – Spayed/neutered status
– `drug` – Array of drugs involved
– `drug.active_ingredients` – Active ingredients
– `drug.active_ingredients.name` – Ingredient name
– `drug.active_ingredients.dose` – Dose information
– `drug.brand_name` – Brand name
– `drug.manufacturer.name` – Manufacturer
– `drug.administered_by` – Who administered drug
– `drug.route` – Route of administration
– `drug.dosage_form` – Dosage form
– `drug.atc_vet_code` – ATC veterinary code
– `reaction` – Array of adverse reactions
– `reaction.veddra_version` – VeDDRA dictionary version
– `reaction.veddra_term_code` – VeDDRA term code
– `reaction.veddra_term_name` – VeDDRA term name
– `reaction.accuracy` – Accuracy of diagnosis
– `reaction.number_of_animals_affected` – Number affected
– `reaction.number_of_animals_treated` – Number treated
– `outcome.medical_status` – Medical outcome
– `outcome.number_of_animals_affected` – Animals affected by outcome
– `serious_ae` – Whether serious adverse event
– `health_assessment_prior_to_exposure.assessed_by` – Who assessed health
– `health_assessment_prior_to_exposure.condition` – Health condition
– `treated_for_ae` – Whether treated
– `time_between_exposure_and_onset` – Time to onset
– `duration.unit` – Duration unit
– `duration.value` – Duration value
**Common Animal Species**:
– Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)
– Cat (Felis catus)
– Horse (Equus caballus)
– Cattle (Bos taurus)
– Pig (Sus scrofa domesticus)
– Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus)
– Sheep (Ovis aries)
– Goat (Capra aegagrus hircus)
– And many others
**Common Use Cases**:
– Veterinary pharmacovigilance
– Product safety monitoring
– Adverse event trend analysis
– Drug safety comparison
– Species-specific safety research
– Breed predisposition studies
**Example Queries**:
“`python
import requests
api_key = "YOUR_API_KEY"
url = "https://api.fda.gov/animalandveterinary/event.json"
# Find adverse events in dogs
params = {
"api_key": api_key,
"search": "animal.species:Dog",
"limit": 10
}
response = requests.get(url, params=params)
data = response.json()
“`
“`python
# Search for specific drug adverse events
params = {
"api_key": api_key,
"search": "drug.brand_name:*flea+collar*",
"limit": 20
}
“`
“`python
# Count most common reactions by species
params = {
"api_key": api_key,
"search": "animal.species:Cat",
"count": "reaction.veddra_term_name.exact"
}
“`
“`python
# Find serious adverse events
params = {
"api_key": api_key,
"search": "serious_ae:true+AND+outcome.medical_status:Died",
"l