In Brief
FDA Warns Consumers Fake Tamiflu Sold Online…Can Be Dangerous for Patients with Penicillin Allergy
Cheree Cleghorn | June 19, 2010
“The FDA warned consumers Thursday to be alert for websites selling a fake “generic” version of the flu drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu), which may be dangerous to patients allergic to penicillin. (Emphasis added)
“The Tamiflu fake does not contain the active ingredient of the drug it imitates but does contain cloxacillin, which can cause anaphylaxis in patients allergic to antibiotics in the same class as penicillin.
“The FDA uncovered the mimic through purchasing the drug from an online retailer claiming to be an out-of-business drugstore, which mailed the agency a package from India, the FDA said in a prepared statement.”
Source: Medpage Today, June 17, 2010
