Significance

• It is dangerous to buy prescription drugs without a doctor's supervision, even if it as seemingly harmless as mail ordering an antibiotic from a Mexican or Canadian pharmacy. Some people are allergic to drugs like penicillin and may not know it.
  
  

Warning

• It is a serious crime to purchase sedatives such as Xanax, painkillers such as Vicodin and stimulants such as Adderall outside a licensed United States pharmacy and without a doctor's prescription.
  
  

Considerations

• A doctor's supervision is always needed, even with prescription drugs that the patient has taken for many years. A sudden allergy could develop, or the need for a dosage increase or decrease.
  
  

Benefits

• Using your American doctor's prescription to mail order your non-narcotic drugs, such as thyroid medication, is not illegal if you use a reputable pharmacy. Canada especially offers a number of prescription drugs online at lower prices.
  
  

Significance

• If the pharmacy website doesn't want a prescription, chances are it is illegal for you as a United States citizen. Remember that the laws are there to protect your life and health, and any illegal prescription drug activity may be reported to the Drug Enforcement Administration at 1-877-RX-ABUSE.