The government has begun posting online a list of medications under investigation for potential problems. It's part of an effort to improve communication with doctors and patients on prescription drug safety,

The first list simply names 20 medications and the potential safety issue for each. But it provides no indication of how widespread or serious the problems might be.

The head of the Food and Drug Administration's drug safety office says the agency is trying to tell the public what it's working on "at the earliest stage."

Drugs will be placed on the list based on reports the FDA receives regularly from hospitals, doctors and patients. If FDA safety reviewers determine that a reported problem with a particular drug deserves a closer look, that medication will be on the list.

The FDA is also hoping the list with generate more reports from medical providers.