FDA warns consumers about buying medications over the Internet

Feb 19 2007

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States has again warned consumers about buying medications over the Internet.

Apparently some consumers who had ordered medications in this manner were sent the powerful anti-psychotic prescription drug haloperidol used to treat schizophrenia instead of the products they ordered and they ended up in emergency care.

Haloperidol (Haldol) is made by Johnson & Johnson and in other generic versions the anti-psychotic drug is know to cause muscle spasms, muscle stiffness, agitation and sedation.

Buying medication this way is a controversial issue as the selling of drugs from other countries over the Internet is illegal in the United States.

The FDA has repeatedly warned consumers not to buy drugs in this way but advocates say reputable pharmacies abroad can offer safe medications at a cheaper price.

The packages involved in the latest incident were according to the FDA postmarked from Greece but where the pills were manufactured remains a mystery.

In particular demand are specific drugs such as Ambien, Xanax, Lexapro and Ativan.

The FDA urges consumers to review the FDA Web site for information before buying medication over the Internet.

Although the affected consumers have named several Internet Web sites where the products were purchased, identifying the vendors is difficult because of the deceptive practices of many commercial outlets on the Internet.

The FDA is investigating this illicit practice and plans to release appropriate information when it is available.

Consumers can check with the FDA Web site for additional information prior to making purchases of medication over the Internet (http://www.fda.gov/buyonline/).