Know when to stop comparing offers.

Urgent symptoms need urgent help

MedlinePlus, the government health reference, says a severe allergic reaction needs emergency care; trouble breathing, throat swelling or fainting can be signs. [a]

Call 911 or go directly to the closest emergency room if severe allergic symptoms occur. [a]

Do not wait for a reply from a website.

A prescription claim needs a prescription

Federal law checked September 26, 2026 makes it unlawful to hand out prescription medicine unless the prescription is valid. [b]

Pause an offer that skips the assessment or cannot identify who makes the treatment decision.

The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), in guidance checked September 26, 2026, rejects selecting a treatment from a website list without a clinician’s assessment. [c]

This is guidance from the national group for state medical boards; enforceable requirements come from each state.

Notice the way payment is requested

A bank or wire transfer sends money directly from a bank account.

The Federal Trade Commission’s advice, checked September 26, 2026, flags demands to pay only by bank or wire transfer, payment app or gift card. [d]

It also flags payment demands limited to cryptocurrency, a kind of digital money often called crypto. [d]

The Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, is the US consumer protection agency. Keep the word “only” in view: the concern is being denied other ways to pay.

Pause if the service pressures you to pay before answering your questions.

A licence is worth checking directly

FDA, the US medicine regulator, links to pharmacy licence records and advises against using an online pharmacy that does not appear on the state’s list. [e]

A licence entry confirms a licence; it does not confirm that every product is being dispensed properly. [e]

Report a suspected product problem

FDA accepts patients’ reports of suspected medicine problems through MedWatch at no charge. [f]

MedWatch is FDA’s reporting service. Keep the label and the details of what happened available when seeking help or making a report.