Safety tips for medicines, supplements, and buying online

Buying meds online can save money — and put your health at risk if you skip a few checks. This page gives clear, practical steps to spot shady sellers, use drugs safely at home, and keep supplements from doing more harm than good. No jargon, just things you can do right now.

Buying medicines online safely

Always expect a pharmacy to ask for a prescription when one is needed. If a site sells prescription drugs without asking for a prescription, that’s a major red flag. Look for a real street address and a phone number you can call. Try calling — a legitimate pharmacy will answer or return messages.

Check the product details: active ingredient, dose, manufacturer, lot number, and expiry date. If that info is missing or looks inconsistent between products, don’t buy. Watch prices: extremely low prices can mean counterfeit or expired products. Use secure payment methods that offer buyer protection, not direct bank transfers or untraceable crypto payments.

Search for independent reviews and user experiences, but don’t trust only comments on the seller’s site. Look for third-party verification where possible — names you recognize, a pharmacy license you can verify on a government site, or industry seals you can click through. If an order arrives with broken seals, different packaging, or strange pills, stop using them and contact your pharmacist.

Using medicines and supplements the safe way

Read the leaflet that comes with a medicine. Know the common side effects and the serious ones that need immediate help. Keep a list of every drug and supplement you take and share it with your doctor and pharmacist — interactions cause problems more often than people realize.

Store medicines as the label says. Some need refrigeration, some must stay dry. Keep all drugs in their original packaging so you can check lot numbers and expiry dates. Lock away medicines and supplements if you have kids or pets at home.

Avoid mixing alcohol with medicines unless your doctor says it’s safe. Don’t split or crush pills unless the leaflet allows it. Don’t share prescription drugs with someone else — a dose that helps you might harm them. If you notice unusual symptoms after starting a new medicine, stop and call your healthcare provider.

For supplements, pick brands that list full ingredients and a manufacturer. Third-party testing (like USP or NSF) helps, but if a product makes wild claims — quick cures, miracle weight loss, or hormone fixes — be skeptical. Supplements can interact with prescription drugs, so ask your pharmacist before adding anything new.

If something feels off — a pharmacy asks for odd payment, the pills look wrong, or you get unexpected side effects — act. Keep samples and packaging, stop the product, contact your healthcare provider, and report the seller to consumer protection or health authorities. A few simple checks can protect your money and your health.