The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set up an online web page to warn consumers not to purchase and use the generic form of the Accutane product. This medication, although approved by the FDA, is used for treating acne that is unresponsive to other treatments including antiobiotics.

However, the dangers of buying isotretinoin (the generic form of Accutane) online and using it improperly without medical supervision can cause the user severe side effects, including birth defects and serious mental health related problems.

The government's web page with details on this issue may be viewed at: http://www.fda.gov/buyonline/accutane . This web page will appear as a result of any searches done on most search engines when a consumer seeks to find information for this drug. The drug isotretinoin is sold under the brand name Accutane and three generic names: Amnesteem, Claravis and Sotret.

The web page from the FDA also guides consumers to helpful links and provides ways to check if an online drug is being marketed from a legitimate pharmacy or not.

Pregnant women or women who become pregnant should not use this drug.

The director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Dr. Steven Galson says, "This Web page is yet another step we're taking to ensure the safe use of a drug that can provide significant health benefits when used properly, but that can also cause very serious side effects if used without supervision of a health professional."