From sex drugs to sleeping pills, hidden dangers of buying prescription drugs online without seeing a GP first
SOARING numbers of people are risking their lives by getting medication on the internet before seeing their GP.
The number of prescriptions being dished out by online pharmacies has doubled in two years, from 26million in 2019 to 53million.
Reputable websites help to ease the load on High Street pharmacies.
But as patients struggle to see a GP, many are turning to Google and self-diagnosing before buying online.
Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, told Sun on Sunday Health: “Buying prescription medicines online without asking the advice of a qualified professional about its risks and benefits — and whether they could interact with other medicines — is a genuine threat to patient safety.”
Sun on Sunday doctor Jeff Foster said some medicines are being prescribed after just a short online questionnaire, with no interaction with the patient’s GP — or checks that the patient is even telling the truth.
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He said: “We have doctors and pharmacists for a reason and medicines should never be purchased through an online questionnaire.
“A disclaimer that says, ‘We told you to be careful’, is terrifying.
“Without knowing your patient and the full picture of their medical history, risk factors, pre-existing conditions and lifestyle habits, many of these medications can put patients’ lives at risk.”
The situation is so dire that the General Pharmaceutical Council has issued a safety alert, warning drugs are being dished out by some online pharmacies without proper oversight.
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Prof Hawthorne added: “Before taking any new medicine, patients should first consult with their GP or health professional who is qualified to take into account physical, psychological and social factors before deciding on the appropriate treatment.
"We will consider various treatment options for each patient and only recommend medicine that suits their individual health needs.”
Dr Jeff reveals the top types of drugs people now buy online and explains the risks of getting it wrong . . .
SEX DRUGS
EMBARRASSED by their symptoms, men often buy Viagra online without finding out why the erectile dysfunction occurred.
It could be anxiety, testosterone deficiency — even narrowing of the arteries.
Risk: If narrowing of the arteries is the underlying cause, you have on average three years before a heart attack or stroke.
So proper oversight is vital.
SLEEPING PILLS
MEDS such as zopiclone, zolpidem, diazepam and temazepam are popular.
But GPs find out about pre-existing medical conditions, other medications and risks including alcohol intake and obesity before prescribing them and we monitor afterwards.
Risk: Taking these in high doses or for prolonged periods can lead to addiction, sedation and even respiratory arrest or death.
HAIR-LOSS DRUGS
YOU can buy all sorts of drugs that claim to treat male hair loss, but only a couple really work.
Minoxidil is a topical foam or spray and Finasteride is a prescription-only drug that can also be used to treat benign large prostates in higher doses.
Risk: Finasteride can lead to sexual problems, including impotence, if prescribed wrongly.
Many online patients are not warned of this risk.
WEIGHT- LOSS INJECTABLES
INITIALLY, Saxenda and Wegovy were used to treat Type 2 diabetes, but their use as a weight-loss tool has exploded.
They affect the hormones that make you feel full, with many users saying their cravings for excess food disappear.
Risk: People with a normal body weight are accessing this medicine online, which is worrying.
Those with eating disorders could become seriously unwell without professional oversight.
STIMULANTS
A MAIN treatment for ADHD — stimulants such as methylphenidate, dexamfetamine, atomoxetine and guanfacine — are typically prescribed to increase alertness, attention and energy.
Due to long NHS waiting times and inappropriate requests for an ADHD diagnosis, many people are turning online to trial medication.
Risk: These drugs need close monitoring as they can put a significant load on the heart, leading to rapid or irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure and even heart failure.
OPIATES
WHILE opiate painkillers, such as codeine and co-codamol, are effective for short-term pain control, there is little benefit long-term.
But necessarily stricter NHS prescribing has resulted in people turning to the internet.
Risk: Opiates are highly addictive and our bodies get used to them so we need more to feel the same effect.
They cause respiratory depression and slow breathing.
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They slow reaction times, making us sluggish.
The risks increase hugely when taken with some other medication or alcohol.