The Risks of Buying Viagra in Mexico [And How to Buy Viagra Safely]

Highlights:

• Buying Viagra in Mexico may be cheaper, but the risks are not worth the savings.
• Without a prescription or FDA approval, you can’t know what’s in these drugs—and many are counterfeit.
• Buying Viagra in Mexico can lead to legal troubles at the border.
• You can buy Viagra safely, quickly, and easily in the United States.
• Shopping with reputable U.S. pharmacies helps protect your health and your freedom.

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In the United States, prescriptions can be costly, so it’s tempting to shop elsewhere—like less-expensive countries. Americans have long been lured south of the border with the promise of cheaper Viagra in Mexico, but that’s a dangerous game that could pose serious health and legal risks.

Why Not to Buy Viagra in Mexico

Medical tourism has a long list of risks that brings up serious concerns about health, safety, and legality. The lower price tag may be tempting, but it’s not worth the cost savings.

Risks of Buying Viagra in Mexico

Your health should be your number one concern, always. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides oversight and regulates medications to keep you safe. This organization has no jurisdiction in Mexico, so you can’t be completely sure what you’re taking when you shop for drugs internationally.

Dangers of Mexican Viagra

Counterfeit and substandard medications are common in Mexico. In fact, UCLA conducted a recent study and found that more than two-thirds of pharmacies in Mexican tourist towns sell controlled substances without a prescription, and a quarter of the drugs are counterfeit.

Is It Safe to Buy Viagra in Mexico?

Many people assume that buying Viagra in Mexico is safe because it’s sold openly in pharmacies, but there’s no guarantee that what you’re getting is genuine. 

Even if the medication looks legit, the actual contents, dosage, storage, and effectiveness of drugs are unregulated and could be dangerous.

Counterfeit Viagra from Mexico: A Serious Threat

There’s a market for mass-producing cheap medications and selling them to Americans who don’t want to pay full price. But without regulation, these unsuspecting shoppers might have no idea what they’re buying.

Counterfeit Viagra from Mexico

Quality and safety are not important to drug counterfeiters. These manufacturers use cheap, untested ingredients that look real but leave a lot of important questions unanswered. 

Counterfeit Viagra is distributed through informal supply chains, which are almost impossible to trace.

Risks of Over-the-Counter Viagra

Another factor that lures prescription drug buyers to Mexican pharmacies is the much more relaxed attitude about prescriptions. Many pharmacies south of the border don’t require prescriptions for medications that are only available by prescription in the United States.

There’s a reason for prescriptions—to assure you that a knowledgeable, licensed medical professional who knows your medical history is prescribing a drug that’s appropriate for your particular circumstances.

Unknown Ingredients and Side Effects

With unregulated or counterfeit medicines, you don’t get any of those assurances. And there’s no way to know what you’re putting into your body. Studies have found that some fake ED drugs have contained unsafe substances, including:

• Amphetamines
• Commercial grade paints
• Other drugs, such as metronidazole, which can cause serious drug interactions, especially when mixed with alcohol

Disturbingly, reporters recently found counterfeit Mexican Viagra laced with fentanyl. Worse, counterfeit drugs that contain fentanyl have a better-than-average chance of delivering a lethal dose.

Generic Viagra Safety Concerns

The generic version of Viagra, sildenafil, is safe—when it’s regulated by the FDA. Some Mexican sildenafil counterfeits actually do contain some level of the active ingredient, but it may be too little to be effective or so much that it could be dangerous. 

Others may have no active ingredients at all but look almost identical to the real thing. Depending on what else they contain, they may not be harmful, but they also won’t give you the results you’re paying for.

Legal Issues Buying Viagra in Mexico

Even if you do find legitimate Viagra in Mexico, you might still run into legal issues. Medical tourism is technically legal, but if you don’t have a valid U.S. prescription, importing prescription drugs is against the law.

Viagra Laws in Mexico vs. the U.S.

Mexico does have a version of the U.S. FDA—the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS). They work to make medications safer, but the widespread counterfeiting, high demand, and a history of corruption and loopholes make it hard to keep up.

In the U.S., we don’t have as many informal markets, and the FDA has more resources to crack down on bad actors.

Legal Issues Buying Viagra in Mexico

Bringing Viagra purchased in Mexico back to the U.S. can lead to legal troubles. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, “In most cases, it’s illegal for a U.S. citizen to obtain drugs from outside the U.S. and import for personal use.” Because this is a national law, a violation can be considered a federal offense.

FDA Warnings on Viagra from Mexico

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico warns against buying pharmaceuticals abroad, explicitly stating the dangers of Mexican Viagra and counterfeit lookalikes. 

Prescription drugs sold in other countries are not subject to the same regulatory scrutiny over manufacturers and distributors that is mandated by law in the United States. 

The FDA doesn’t guarantee the safety of medicines bought during trips abroad and strongly recommends getting your medication in the United States. 

Potential Consequences at the Border

If you bring drugs into this country without a valid prescription in hand, border agents could very well seize those drugs, negating any savings you thought you’d achieved. If you try to bring in a stockpile of Mexican Viagra, you might even be detained.

Avoid Counterfeit Viagra: Understanding the Risks

Viagra is one of the most counterfeited medications. Assuming you’ve wisely decided not to travel to another country to buy your prescriptions, you’ll still have to keep an eye out for fakes.

How to Buy Viagra Safely

Always begin your Viagra shopping with a visit or call to your doctor or pharmacist. Then, visit or log on to a U.S. pharmacy that you trust. If you shop online, watch out for common mistakes like overlooking red flags in pricing, falling for too-good-to-be-true claims, and unsecured data.

Avoid Counterfeit Viagra

It can be hard to identify fake Viagra, but there are a few things to look for:

• Make sure the pill is the right color and shape.
• Check for pill imprints.
• Make sure all the pills are the same size, shape, color and imprint.
• Check packaging for specific markers or batch numbers.

Risks of Over-the-Counter Viagra

Bottom line: There’s no such thing as over-the-counter Viagra. Anything sold as Viagra without a prescription is either fake, illegally distributed, or so-called “natural Viagra.” 

Those herbal supplements can contain tainted ingredients. And even those pills that offer a genuine mix of herbs can be harmful, especially if you’re taking other medication that may interact with it, or if you have an underlying health issue. 

If you already have a health condition, such as diabetes or heart disease, and you’re on prescription medication, fake Viagra could cause unpredictable interactions. But even if you’re completely healthy, you never know what to expect. 

An additional risk is drug overdose. Because you can’t be sure what’s in each pill and in what amounts, you can’t control how much active ingredient you’re taking.

Safe Alternatives to Buying Viagra Abroad

You can avoid counterfeit Viagra, dodge legal entanglements, and protect your health by purchasing your prescriptions safely, right here in the United States.

Buying Viagra Online Legally

Concerned about privacy and convenience? You can absolutely buy Viagra online legally and safely. Choose a U.S.-licensed pharmacy that takes your privacy seriously, clearly displays authenticity information, requires prescriptions, and provides quality guarantees you can trust.

Where to Buy Viagra Safely Online

Many well-known American pharmacies offer online ordering. At eDrugstore, we specialize in sexual health, and our team of licensed healthcare providers are always available to answer your questions and approve your prescription. 

Generic Viagra Safety Concerns

If the U.S. retail cost of a typical (50 milligram) dose of Viagra is a bit steep for you, consider sildenafil, its generic equivalent. 

You can get the same effects from a comparable dose of sildenafil, and the average cost in the U.S. is often one-tenth the price of the brand-name drug. 

Benefits of FDA-Approved Medications

The FDA has issued warnings about purchasing meds abroad, and to back it up, they have strict regulations for all drugs in the U.S.:

• Rigorous and ongoing quality testing
• Stringent manufacturing regulations
• Storage rules
• Track and trace technology to review supply chains
• Laws for pharmacies

If you’re still concerned about the price, remember that generic sildenafil is a safe, effective option at a fraction the cost of brand-name Viagra.

How to Buy Viagra Safely Online

Well-established online pharmacies that require a valid prescription, have verified customer reviews, and a strong reputation for reliability are trustworthy options.

Before you click “buy,” you can check your pharmacy’s certification with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) or Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS). These seals of approval hold online pharmacies to the very highest standards—unlike unknown Mexico sources.

The Advantages of Using Reputable Online Pharmacies

Maybe cost isn’t the only temptation of buying drugs in Mexico—if convenience and privacy are top concerns, shopping online can be the perfect solution. 

You can talk to licensed providers, get prescriptions, place orders, and get your ED meds shipped straight to your door in discreet packaging.

At eDrugstore, we’ve been helping men get the sexual health treatments they need since 1999. 

Here are some of our customers’ favorite services:

• Complimentary medical consultation. Our team of healthcare providers assess your health, answer questions, and write the right prescriptions—all for free.
• Licensed physicians. Your safety is our first priority. All of our medical professionals are U.S.-licensed and comply with all pharmacy laws.
• Secure delivery. Your medications ship fast in discreet packaging for no extra cost.

Visit Mexico for Vacations, Not Prescriptions

There’s nothing wrong with visiting Mexico for business or pleasure. It’s a beautiful country with rich history, culture, and excellent opportunities for tourism. But it’s not a safe destination for picking up your prescriptions.

If you don’t have a doctor’s prescription for ED medication and are finding it difficult to fit a visit into your busy schedule, eDrugstore’s complimentary consultation service is tailor-made for you. 

We’ll connect you with an online physician licensed to practice in your state. Based on the information you provide, the doctor will determine if you’re an appropriate candidate for the medication and will authorize your prescription free of charge.

Shop Safely at eDrugstore.com

You don’t have to hop a flight or cross any borders to find safe, legal, and effective ED treatment. You don’t even have to leave your couch! Learn more about your erectile dysfunction treatment options and eDrugstore’s commitment to safety today.

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FAQ

Is it safe to buy Viagra in Mexico?

There are legitimate pharmacies in Mexico, but they aren’t held to the same safety regulations as those in the United States. This makes buying Viagra in Mexico a risky choice.

What are the legal issues concerning buying Viagra in Mexico?

Strict FDA and customs regulations make it illegal to bring prescriptions over the border without authorization. This could lead to confiscation, fines, or other legal problems.

How can I avoid counterfeit Viagra?

Always purchase from certified pharmacies—either online or at brick-and-mortar stores—that require a valid prescription.

Where to buy Viagra safely online?

eDrugstore is a safe, trusted option for all your ED treatments and our licensed healthcare providers can answer all your questions.

What are the risks of over-the-counter Viagra?

There is no such thing as over-the-counter Viagra. Without a prescription, you have no assurance that Viagra is right for you. Worse, it might not even be genuine medication—which can be very dangerous for your health. 

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about health and related topics but is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.