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FDA Warns Against Buying Accutane and Its Generics Online

The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) has launched a special website to warn consumers about the dangers of buying isotretinoin products, like Accutane, online. Isotretinoin is a drug approved for the treatment of severe forms of acne that do not respond to antibiotics, and it should only be used under the close supervision of a health care professional. Isotretinoin can cause severe side effects, including birth defects. Serious mental health problems have also been reported with isotretinoin use.

When you buy drugs over the Internet, especially from sites that don't require a prescription, you may get counterfeit products, products with dangerous ingredients, products that don't work, and products that were not labeled or shipped correctly.

The new Accutane website provides links to helpful information, including ways to check that drugs purchased online come from legitimate pharmacies.

Check it Out!!
www.fda.gov/buyonline/accutane

Isotretinoin is marketed under these names:

• Accutane
• Amnesteem
• Claravis
• Sotret

References:
FDA & You
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
May 2007
www.fda.gov/cdrh/fdaandyou/issue13.html#1