Counterfeit Drugs: How to Avoid Fake Drugs
Beware of Buying Counterfeit Drugs Online
What Are Counterfeit Drugs?
Counterfeit drugs are medications that are produced using ingredients that may be inactive, incorrect or harmful. Counterfeit drugs are packaged and labeled to look like actual brand name drugs or generic drugs. This false packaging is to deceive you into thinking that you are buying a legitimate product.
What Are the Risks of Taking Counterfeit Drugs?
If you use a counterfeit drug you may be at risk for serious health problems, including unexpected side effects, allergic reactions, or a worsening of your health condition. These can occur because a counterfeit drug may:
- be contaminated with harmful substances
- contain the wrong active ingredient, which may not treat your condition or may cause unwanted side effects
- have too little or none of the active ingredient, which will be insufficient to treat your condition
- have too much of the active ingredient, which can cause unwanted and potentially dangerous side effects
- be packaged in phony wrapping, which may have incorrect directions on how to use the medication
What Do Counterfeit Drugs Look Like?
A counterfeit drug may look like the genuine version of the medication. Unfortunately, the only way to know if it is counterfeit is by performing a chemical analysis in a laboratory. However, there are some signs that may indicate your medication is counterfeit. For example, counterfeit pills may:
- have a strange smell, taste or color
- break apart very easily or be cracked or chipped
- be in poor quality packages with misspelled labels, or labels that have directions that seem incorrect
- cost very little, especially compared with the normal price of that particular drug
Read the rest of this guide from About.com on counterfeit drugs here.
