I purchased a package of Lipitor in Mexico. Is it safe? I am taking 30 milligrams a day. The pills I purchased were in a 20 mg and 10 mg dose. They are both the same size. Is this okay? The bottle says they were manufactured in England and distributed by a company in Florida.

This is a tough question. Any medication purchased in another country is not subject to the same regulation and control that govern drug manufacturing in the United States. Many drugs made and used in the U.S. can be purchased in other countries for a fraction of the price of the drugs made in the U.S. Lipitor is a brand name for one of the strongest medications that lowers cholesterol, and the company Pfizer manufactures this drug both within and outside the United States. I have no personal information regarding the regulations or agencies that govern drug manufacturing outside of the United States. Although unlikely, I do not know if the manufacturing of the drug differs from country to country. I am not aware of any information regarding any unusual or different problems with Lipitor manufactured outside of the U.S.

The main issues to consider when using any product whether made within or outside of the U.S. are 1) efficacy and 2) safety. The effectiveness of the drug is monitored by the blood tests that your physician orders when he or she wants to check your cholesterol level. The safety of the drug would be monitored by the frequency or occurrences of side effects or adverse reactions that arise when using the drug.

I'm sorry that I cannot advise you whether or not it is a good idea to purchase your medication outside of the U.S. Just be aware of the potential side effects and do not hesitate to consult with your physician should you develop any problems of any kind while using the medication.

I hope this is helpful to you. Please keep us informed. We care.

Dr. Fung

-- Dr. Gordon Fung, MD, MPH, is a cardiologist and associate clinical professor of medicine at the University of California at San Francisco Medical Center at Mt. Zion.

First published July 6, 2004
Last updated May 6, 2008
Copyright © 2004 Consumer Health Interactive