Hazards of Buying Prescription Drugs Online (June 2007)

Many people are choosing to buy prescription drugs online, but unless they are very careful, this can be a risky undertaking. Drugs bought over the internet can be fake, substandard in potency, unapproved by the FDA, counterfeit, or just plain dangerous.

For example some people who ordered tranquilizers, such as Ambien (zolpidem tartrate), Xanax (alprazolam), Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate) and Ativan (lorazepam), actually received a product that may have contained haloperidol, a powerful antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia.

Some of these people needed emergency medical treatment for difficulty breathing and muscle spasms. Haloperidol can also cause agitation and sedation.

If patients are concerned that the tranquilizers they ordered may contain haloperidol, they can see photographs of the affected tablets above, and packages at the "Additional Information" link below. If the product resembles these photos, consumers should not take the drug.

There has also been some concern lately about people buying Accutane over the Internet. Accutane can cause severe birth defects if taken by a pregnant woman.

There is a special risk management program where women of childbearing age taking Accutane must register and undergo periodic pregnancy testing. But buying the drug over the Internet can circumvent all these precautions, and babies may be at risk.

So, now when a person searches the Internet for Accutane or its generic equivalents, a link to an FDA web page that warns about this problem will appear.

If buying medicines over the Internet, make sure the site is reputable. The site should be licensed by a State Board of Pharmacy, and have a registered pharmacist on hand to answer questions. Some sites display a so-called "VIPPS® seal" (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites™ Seal), which shows that they meet State and federal rules. And if the site does not require a prescription, it may not be legitimate.

Additional Information:

FDA MedWatch Safety Alert. Unsafe, Misrepresented Drugs Purchased Over the Internet: Ambien (zolpidem tartrate) , Xanax (alprazolam), Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate), and Ativan (lorazepam). February 16, 2007.
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#internet

FDA Website. Haloperidol Photos. February 16, 2007.
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/photos/haloperidol.html

FDA MedWatch Safety Alert. Accutane (isotretinoin). March 28, 2007.
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#Accutane

FDA Website. FDA Warning: Risks of buying Accutane (isotretinoin) over the Internet. March 28, 2007.
http://www.fda.gov/buyonline/accutane/

FDA. Buying Medicines and Medical Products Online.
http://www.fda.gov/buyonline/

National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites™ (VIPPS®). January 2, 2007.
http://vipps.nabp.net/verify.asp

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Prescription
• Drugs
• Online
• Warning
• FDA
• Internet
• Pharmacy
• VIPPS
• Verified
• Practice
• Sites

[mjosephusa]

Thank you to the FDA for making this video, likely funded in part by the big drugmakers who want to scare as many people as possible into paying atrociously highly medications costs.

[sackynut]

Obviously there are scares with online purchasing as with anything online, but when you find a legitimate website, you save MASS amounts of money because the pharma companies as well as the pharmas themselves (real ones) jack the prices up beyond 10,000 - 20,000% of the price it costs to make the drug. 6 cent bottle of xanax being sold for 300.

Props to online pharmacies for fucking over the corrupt American Health Care system, and fuck the FDA.

[MrSouthphillyitalian]

@mrod2976 what else you got

[mrod2976]

WE SEND OUT FREE SAMPLES OF AMBIEN 10mg. By (GADOR LAB)

contact me: clarencemeds@yahoo.com thanks!

[JoeCool031619]

@soobaked23 "Google it" There are plenty that sell them but I can't vouch personally for any of them, but you should have an easier time up in Canada than we do here in the US.. I've ordered soma b4 but xanax is more controlled & can't be bought legally with just an online consult.

[soobaked23]

what is a website i cn use for xanax

[CamcorderBuYinGuide]

i am looking for some information about the buying products on youtube, thanks for the smart input.

[Gloryboys17]

@mjosephusa have you ever bought online? i want to but I'm nervous the FDA will be all over me or something.