Health Officials Warn of Buying Cipro Online
Oct. 15 -- While officials try to calm nerves and urge Americans not to stock up on antibiotics out of fear of a biological attack, Web sites touting antibiotics prey on these fears, health officials say.
One Web site was offering an anthrax 30-day prevention pack for $279. Other Web sites were offering Ciprofloxacin, or Cipro as it is commonly called, and gas masks.
Cipro is the most widely used antibiotic for anthrax treatment, but it can have severe side effects, and doctors warn against taking it unless really necessary or without proper medical supervision.
"These Web sites are capitalizing on people's fears," said Carmen Catizone, executive director the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. "We have seen some sites that are just disgraceful. They have advertised on their site gas masks and Cipro and it's very exploitative."
Among other side effects, which include dizziness and nausea, Cipro inhibits bone growth in pregnant women and in children. Anyone taking Theophylline, an asthma medication, is at risk for serious reactions if they take Cipro, and should consider an alternative.
The American Medical Association points out that it's easy to lie on the Web site questionnaires that need to be filled out to get the prescriptions, and that without a doctor's supervision, it's much harder to catch potential problems.
Getting a prescription from a Web site based on a simple questionnaire does not "sufficiently meet the standards for good medical care," said a statement from the AMA.
Fears of Resistance
Doctors and the AMA also warned that improper use could lead to strains of disease that are resistant to treatment.
The AMA has posted a warning on its Web site advising physicians, in part that, "Antibiotic resistance is a real public health concern. Infectious agents develop resistance to antibiotics. The more often an antibiotic is used, the greater the chance of resistance developing."
Officials also warned that stocking up on anti-anthrax medication could leave shorter supplies for people who really need it.
