FDA WARNING: Risks of buying Accutane (isotretinoin) over the Internet
Isotretinoin is a potentially dangerous prescription medicine that should only
be taken under the close supervision of your healthcare professional and
pharmacist. If you are pregnant or may get pregnant, isotretinoin can cause
birth defects, miscarriage, premature births, and death in babies. (Isotretinoin
is sold under the brand name of Accutane and in generic versions called
Amnesteem, Claravis, and Sotret.) Buying this product over the Internet
bypasses important procedures to ensure that patients can take this drug
safely. When these procedures are ignored, isotretinoin can cause serious and
harmful side effects. Patients taking isotretinoin may experience side effects
including bad headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, vomiting,
seizures, stroke, diarrhea, and muscle weakness. Additionally, serious mental
health problems, such as depression and suicide, have been reported with
isotretinoin use.
- You should NEVER buy Accutane (isotretinoin) or any of the generic versions of Accutane without first seeing your healthcare professional.
- You should NEVER take Accutane (isotretinoin) or any of the generic versions of Accutane if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant or could accidentally become pregnant.
- Some websites sell prescription drugs without a prescription.
This is illegal and DANGEROUS.
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.
For more information about the safe use of isotretinoin:
- Visit FDA's Isotretinoin (marketed as Accutane) Capsule Information
- Visit FDA's Medication Guide on Accutane (Isotretinoin Capsules) [PDF]
For more information about buying health products online, you can:
- Visit FDA’s Buying Medicines and Medical Products Online
- 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332)