Press Announcements > FDA warns of fraudulent and unapproved flu products

Press Announcements > FDA warns of fraudulent and unapproved flu products

FDA warns of fraudulent and unapproved flu products

As part of FDA's ongoing efforts to protect consumers from health fraud, the agency is reminding consumers to be wary of unapproved products claiming to prevent, treat or cure influenza, or flu. This year’s severe flu season raises new concerns about the potential for consumers to be lured into buying unproven flu treatments, and even worse, buying counterfeit antivirals online from websites that appear to be legitimate online pharmacies. Consumers should be aware that there are no legally marketed over-the-counter (OTC) drugs to prevent or cure the flu. However, there are legal OTC products to reduce fever and to relieve muscle aches, congestion and other symptoms typically associated with the flu. Products sold online are fraudulent if they claim to prevent, treat or cure the flu, and have not been evaluated by the FDA for that intended use.

These flu claims may indicate that an OTC product is fraudulent: reduces severity and length of the flu boosts your immunity naturally without a flu shot safe and effective alternative to the flu vaccine prevents catching the flu effective treatment for the flu faster recovery from the flu supports your body's natural immune defenses to fight off the flu Read the full press announcement (March 2, 2018) Related links:  FDA encourages health care professionals and consumers to report adverse reactions to the agency’s MedWatch program How to buy medicines safely from an online pharmacy Seasonal influenza updates from CDC, including prevention, treatment, and flu activity by location