Flu is a serious disease, caused by influenza viruses, that can lead to hospitalization and even death.
Your best defense is vaccination, which provides important protection from flu and its potential complications.
Influenza (flu) viruses typically spread in fall and winter, with activity peaking between December and February.
There are no legally marketed over-the-counter (non-prescription) drugs to prevent, mitigate, treat, or cure the flu. But there are legal over-the-counter (OTC) drugs to reduce fever and to relieve muscle aches, congestion, and other symptoms typically associated with the flu.
Dietary supplements, conventional foods (such as herbal teas), or devices (such as certain air filters and light therapies) that fraudulently claim to prevent, mitigate, treat or cure the flu haven’t been evaluated by the FDA for safety and effectiveness.
Consumers may turn to online pharmacies because of convenience, privacy and cost savings. However, protect your health by recognizing the signs of safe and unsafe online pharmacies.
Beware of Fraudulent Claims
Reduces the severity and length of flu or other viral infections.
Boosts your immunity naturally without a flu vaccine.
Acts as a safe and effective alternative to the flu vaccine.
Prevents catching the flu or viral infections.
Effective treatment for flu or viral infections.
Provides faster recovery from the flu or viral infections.
Supports your body’s natural immune defenses to fight off flu or other viruses.
Your online pharmacy may be an unsafe website if it:
Does not require a doctor’s prescription.
Is not licensed in the United States and by your state board of pharmacy.
Does not have a licensed pharmacist on staff to answer your questions.
Sends medicine that looks different than what you receive at your local pharmacy, or arrives in packaging that is broken, damaged, in a foreign language, has no expiration date, or is expired.
Offers deep discounts or prices that seem too good to be true.
Charges you for products you never ordered or received.
Does not provide clear written protections of your personal and financial information, or sells it to other websites.
Report a website that you think is illegally selling human drugs, animal drugs, medical devices, biological products, foods, dietary supplements or cosmetics.
