Is it safe to order prescription drugs online?

[Jamie31]

I was looking up a Rx drug online to get more info about it and there were all these websites that you can order them online. And when I got to reading more about it, it said that your request would be reviewed by a physician and if approved, FedEx'd to your house. If this is true, then that is awesome! No more making Dr's appointments as long as your are knowledged about what drug you need. But I have to wonder - is there really a physician that reviews your request? And how safe is it to order Rx drugs online? Have any of you ever ordered Rx drugs online? Did everything turn out ok if you did?

 

I am thinking about doing it.

 

Thanks

[Jamie31]

Ok - noone knows? The site I am talking about is <url removed>

I am thinking of ordering something from it, but I want it to be safe.

 

Have any of you ever ordered Rx drugs online?

[cindy0039]

My opinion is that it would be crazy to let an "online physician" decide whether you should take a prescription medication. You should have a complete exam by a physician in person and have them prescribe any medication for you.

 

Secondly, it doesn't appear that you can use your insurance for these online medications and they are quite expensive. Why would you rather do this? Do you have insurance?

[clia]

As a nursing student, I'm sure you would agree that it's always best to suck it up and go to the doctor who knows you to be specifically prescribed a drug.

 

And like cindy said, why pay all that cash when insurance will cover it if you just go to the doctor?

 

I think online prescriptions sites like this are dangerous--I can go on there and order whatever I want and start taking it, whether or not I really have that condition or not. That's crazy! But I'm sure a lot of people see a particularly compelling Zoloft commercial and do it...

[Tony T]

Prescription drugs are one thing I would never touch on the Internet. For one thing, I have shopped a bit and found that prices aren't all that much lower for many drugs than in local drugstores. Secondly, I want someone filling my prescription who can monitor everything I'm taking for interactions, etc. I also want assurance that what I'm getting is quality and pure. There is simply no way I'm going to take a powerful drug that I received from some Internet site.

 

Do what you want but I would caution you. The little bit of money you save may not be worth it in the long run. The people who did not have a good experience in purchasing their prescriptions on the Internet may not be alive to reply to your post.

[Jamie31]

Well, the drug I am thinking of ordering is one that I have taken before. And this particular drug is not covered by insurance, so I would actually be paying less than if I went to a reg. doctor. And also, if I went to a reg. doctor, they would only give me a Rx for 1 month, whereas if I order online I can get a 3-month supply. Those are the reasons I am considering it.

 

I can always take it to the pharmacist so he can verify that it is what it is supposed to be before I start taking it.

[clia]

Call me crazy, but I'd think someone in your future profession would advocate to do things the "right" way instead of through the back door. If you have to go to a pharmacist anyway, why not just go to the doctor?

[Jamie31]

You don't have to go to the pharmacist....they FedEx them to your doorstep....another advantage.

 

And if I had never taken them before, I would go to a MD, but I have and I know all about them...I mean, why make a doc appt when all he is going to say is "Sooo, had any problems with them?" "Ok, well let me get your prescription".

 

That's all he does. And it's stupid to pay for a MD appt when that's all he is going to do.

[km82794]

Not the same, but....

 

One friends daughter, just moved back home from college. Little did our friend, or anyone else know of her daughters heroin addiction.

 

The daughter scored some off the internet, and died of an overdose that day. She was only 19. Apparently she got a hold of some bad stuff and they are treating it as a homicide.

 

So in my opinion, I would never ingest anything that was bought over the internet.

 

Too many weirdo's out there!!!

[Jamie31]

Well, I already ordered them. I'll just go ahead and tell you guys what drug it is that I ordered. It is called Phentermine. It is a weight loss pill. And it's the only thing I have ever tried that really works. It's an appetite suppressant. I took it for about 3 months last summer and the first month I was on them I lost 13 lbs. All together I lost about 30 lbs. It was so great!! I didn't experience any negative side effects and I have done a lot of research on the drug to make sure it was safe.

 

When they come in, I am going to take them to a pharmacist and have him make sure they are what they are supposed to be. So there can't be any harm in it.

 

Heroin is a lot different than what I ordered. Heroin is an illegal drug that people take to get high. I am taking this weight loss pill to lose weight. Totally different.

[clia]

Why don't you just watch what you eat and exercise?

[Tony T]

How does your pharmacist feel about you bringing in pills you purchased from another source just to have him say they are OK? What a guy!!! I wouldn't have the nerve to do that myself.

 

In any case, I hope you will consider only short term use of appetite suppresants. I have known many people who took various brands and most of them have eventually sustained side effects of some sort, including heart problems. Be very careful. I like clia's recommendation that you just nurture self-control and watch the kinds and quantity of food that you eat. Do that for a week or two and your body will adjust so well you won't have to work at it.

[cindy0039]

I have a personal story about Phen-Fen that would scare the hell out of you, but it's too long and involved to explain here. Suffice it to say, I took it back in '97 when it was the "in" thing to do, and before they realized how dangerous those drugs were. Yeah, I lost about 30 pounds in a few months and was thrilled with THAT part of it, but what happened to me next was not worth it!

 

I'm not saying the same thing will happen to you, but I would never ever recommend phentermine or any other similar drug to anyone. That's probably why they're selling it on the internet, because any doctor with a conscience (or who is afraid of lawsuits) won't prescribe it anymore. Why do you think your insurance won't cover it? Think about it.

[Jamie31]

Doctors DO prescribe it...that's where I got it the first time. The first time I went to get it, I went to a regular doctor and he did a blood test and thyroid check to make sure it was ok for me to take and everything. So it's fine. But insurance doesn't cover it...I don't know why. The dangerous ingredient in diet pills is ephedrine and this doesn't have that in it.

 

It's not for long term use...just for a few months to lose a few. No biggie. I have taken them before.

[Tony T]

YOU WRITE: "It's not for long term use...just for a few months to lose a few. No biggie. I have taken them before."

 

So what happens when you stop taking the pills? Does the weight come back? When you took them before did you lose the weight and keep it off or did you start eating more when you stopped taking the pills?

 

I wish I could find some way to safely suppress my appetite...not only to lose weight...but to save money at the supermarket.

[Jamie31]

Yeah, the weight stayed off....because it also changed my eating habits. I mean, I got used to eating a little amount instead of what I was eating before. Of the 30 pounds I lost last summer, I gained about 10 of it back over the winter, and it was due to lack of adequate excersise because I was stuck in the dorm studying 24/7 and you know how that college food is - all fat. But I didn't gain it all back...so that's good.

[Amazon22]

It seems that it is more expensive to order them on line rather than going to your doctor and paying the insurance co-pay for the exam and the co-pay for the prescription. However, if you don't have insurance, and you are informed properly on the meds, then by all means....it is your body.

[cindy0039]

Originally posted by Amazon22

It seems that it is more expensive to order them on line rather than going to your doctor and paying the insurance co-pay for the exam and the co-pay for the prescription. However, if you don't have insurance, and you are informed properly on the meds, then by all means....it is your body.

 

She said they're not covered on her insurance. And believe me, I DO know why. It's because of all the lawsuits over the drug! They're dangerous. But yeah, it is her body and she's obviously going to do what she wants anyway, so whatever.

[Jamie31]

Amazon - read what I wrote above....these pills aren't covered by insurance. I have more than done my research on these pills...trust me, I am not a druggie. I know a lot about them and I have taken them before. I don't have any history of high blood pressure, heart or thyroid probs so I really think it is ok. And I can monitor my blood pressure at home...if I notice any negative changes I will stop taking them. No Big Whoop!!!!!

[Jamie31]

And Cindy...if there were so many lawsuits over this drug, then why would it be approved by the FDA? Why would doctors prescribe it so much? I know a bunch of people that take it. My MD told me that is his most popular weight loss drug that he prescribes. There are a lot of medicines that aren't covered by insurance..even some birth control pills aren't. Phen-Fen is not the same thing as Phentermine. Just because they both start with "Phen" does not mean crap. I have done plenty of research about it. It does NOT contain ephedrine and Phen-Fen did. That's what is harmful in diet pills.

[Amazon22]

Jamie, I was just stating my opinion in general, not about any particular drug. But you are right, I shoulda' read a little more carefully! Thanx

-Haley

[clia]

Of the 30 pounds I lost last summer, I gained about 10 of it back over the winter, and it was due to lack of adequate excersise because I was stuck in the dorm studying 24/7

 

So, if you only have 10 pounds to lose, and they were gained because you weren't exercising, then why not just start exercising again instead of taking a drug? Obviously you were able to fairly keep the weight off without the drug, doing what you were doing. Why not do that again?

 

and you know how that college food is - all fat.

 

That's funny, in my dorm we had a salad bar, fruit, veggies, cereal, a deli bar, soup...all kinds of lower fat options. So no, I don't agree that college food is all fat. You can avoid it if you are willing to make the choice.

[cindy0039]

Originally posted by Jamie31

And Cindy...if there were so many lawsuits over this drug, then why would it be approved by the FDA? Why would doctors prescribe it so much? I know a bunch of people that take it. My MD told me that is his most popular weight loss drug that he prescribes. There are a lot of medicines that aren't covered by insurance..even some birth control pills aren't. Phen-Fen is not the same thing as Phentermine. Just because they both start with "Phen" does not mean crap. I have done plenty of research about it. It does NOT contain ephedrine and Phen-Fen did. That's what is harmful in diet pills.

 

Excuse me Jamie but the "Phen" part of Phen-Fen IS Phentermine. And I'm not talking about ephedrine at all, as I know that's not in phentermine. I'm curious, where did you do your research about phentermine?

 

Here's the official description:

 

"Phentermine is a sympathomimetic amine, which is similar to an amphetamine. It is also known as an "anorectic" or "anorexigenic" drug. Phentermine stimulates the central nervous system (nerves and brain), which increases your heart rate and blood pressure and decreases your appetite."

 

More information about the drug:

 

"Phentermine is used as a short-term supplement to diet and exercise in the treatment of obesity.

 

Phentermine is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on this medication, and withdrawal effects may occur if you stop taking it suddenly after several weeks of continuous use."

 

Trust me Jamie, I'm not making this stuff up.

 

And as a nursing student, I would think you know the definition of the term "obese." In other words, it's not for people who just need to lose a few pounds. And as far as being approved by the FDA, so are a lot of things that end up being dangerous. But like I said, you're free to do whatever you want with your body. I learned my lesson the hard way and I guess some people choose not to know what happens to others and think bad things can't possibly happen to them.

[Jamie31]

To Cindy: I know that Phentermine was in Phen-Fen but the harmful part of that was the Fen. Like I said, it's not the same thing.

 

And I knew all of the info you copied and pasted...I have a drug book, thanks.

 

And like I also said - I will not become dependent on it because I don't plan on taking it for a long time....just until I reach my goal, which shouldn't take too long with these pills.

 

 

To Clia: I don't have time to start an excersise program right now because I commute to school AND work full-time. When I get home at night I am exhausted. And you will probably say "well how do you have time to get on here?" When I say exhausted...I mean physically tired, not necessarily sleepy. I get on here to wind down until I sleep. And plus, I have never been that great at sticking to a work out plan.

 

And the college food thing isn't a concern anymore because I don't live in the dorm anymore....so enough about that.

[clia]

I don't have time to start an excersise program

 

Eating healthy takes no additional time whatsoever. And there are a lot of people out there who go to school full time and work full time but can still find 30-60 minutes to work out. Get up an hour earlier in the morning.

 

But it's clear you want the quick fix. Good luck with that.