FDA Warns Against Buying These OTC Flu Medications

We are in the Heart of flu season Many people are on edge right now. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), estimates that there have already been 18 million illnesses, 190,000. Hospitalizations and 12,000 death. Influenza virus So far, this season.

People rush to the drugstore when they feel a runny nose or sore throat. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has issued a new alert regarding certain OTC flu meds. Find out what drugs the FDA is warning consumers about.

READ THIS: FDA warns against OTC anti-biotics.

Recent struggles by many Americans to find flu and cold medicines have been a major problem. For weeks, local news reports and social media posts have shown empty shelves in pharmacies across the nation. Joe LutmerIn December, WLWT was informed by WLWT, NBC affiliate, that he is the owner and pharmacist of Tischbein Pharmacy. Because of the cold season He began much sooner than usual and took more revenge after the pandemic.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

“Every single day, it’s a new problem. Every single day, we have to contact all our different wholesalers and find out what the availability of these products are,” Lutmer stated. “Our shelves at certain times have been completely empty of one product and then comes back on, and then it’s empty of another product.”

Walgreens and CVS, two major retailers, have had similar problems. They are now limiting their purchase of certain flu and cold meds. “Retailers across the country are Supplier fulfillment problems due to increased demand of over-the-counter pediatric fever reducing products,” Walgreens spokesperson Fraser Engerman CNN. However, the FDA has warned consumers that they should not let recent difficulties in securing these medicines push them into a worrying path.

You may be tempted, with supply issues running high, to purchase any flu or cold medication you can. There are many things to consider when buying flu medication. New consumer update Dec. 13, 2013: FDA raises concern about certain flu medications. “There are no legally marketed over-the-counter (OTC, or non-prescription) drugs to prevent, treat, or cure the flu,” The agency explained. “But there are legally marketed OTC drugs to reduce fever and to relieve muscle aches, congestion, and other symptoms typically associated with the flu.”

However, this won’t stop con artists from trying to. “illegally offer unproven products that claim to prevent, mitigate, treat, or cure the flu,” The FDA issued a new warning in its alert. “The fall and winter flu season may bring out dishonest sellers hawking fraudulent products to unsuspecting consumers,” The agency stated.

Fraudulent flu medications are often sold without a prescription. This could include false claims about “reduce the severity and length of the flu or other viral infections; boost your immunity naturally without a flu vaccine; act as a safe and effective alternative to the flu vaccine; prevent you catching the flu or viral infections; be an effective treatment for the flu or viral infections; provide faster recover from the flu or viral infections; or support your body’s natural immune defenses to fight off the flu,” According to FDA.

You can get more health advice straight to your email. Sign up for our daily newsletter.

FDA wants people to be aware of illegal OTC meds that can be found online and in stores. “These products might be dangerous to you and your family,” The agency stated. “The FDA urges consumers to avoid fraudulent flu products.” But what is the real danger? Kelly Johnson-ArborMD Doctor of medical toxicology Director at the National Capital Poison Center. Best Life It all comes down to the FDA not evaluating them for safety and effectiveness.

“Although there are prescription drugs available to prevent or treat the flu, there are no OTC medications that are FDA-approved for this purpose,” Johnson-Arbor said. “OTC anti-flu products meant to be taken by mouth (like dietary supplements or unapproved medications) may contain undisclosed ingredients that can be potentially harmful or can interact with other prescription medications. These products may contain prescription medications, pesticides, or heavy metals that can cause unwanted side effects.”

The flu is not something to be taken lightly. This is why officials encourage prevention as the first line defense. “Getting a flu vaccine is the best way to prevent this infectious disease and its serious complications,” the FDA said—and the CDC recommends that everyone six months and older Get vaccinated against Each year, the influenza virus is reported.

Some people will still get sick even after being vaccinated. Vaccination isn’t 100% effective. The CDC states that vaccination can still be effective. “reduce severity of illness in people who get vaccinated but still get sick.”

There are several FDA-approved medications that can be used to treat the flu. “Flu antiviral medications are used to prevent or treat flu and are available by prescription in the form of pills, liquids, inhalers, and intravenous infusion,” The agency explained. “The various products are all approved for adolescent and adult use, and they differ in the ages for which they are approved to treat infants and children, ranging from 2-weeks-old to age 12.”

Johnson-Arbor suggests that OTC meds be considered only if legally marketed drugs are available. “Since there are no OTC drugs proven to cure the flu, people should choose OTC products that can instead help reduce the signs and symptoms of the flu,” She said.

According to the medical toxicologist Tylenol (or another acetaminophen medication) can treat fever and bodyaches. Sudafed (or pseudoephedrine medicine) can relieve nasal congestion. These medications are FDA-approved but you need to be careful. “Because many OTC products contain multiple ingredients, it’s important to read package labels carefully to ensure that you are not taking unnecessary medications or duplicates,” Johnson-Arbor adds.