Why is consuming Fish Antibiotics a bad idea? Consumers are seeking cheaper, faster access to antibiotics are allegedly taking aquatic antibiotics intended for treating fish rather than humans. While politicians go on debating about how to improve the health care system, Americans are finding ways around it. There is consumers taking medications produced for pet fish to avoid expensive visits to the doctor.
Recent research analyzed online reviews from dozens of websites selling nine different variety’s of fish antibiotics. Out of over 2,000 reviews, 55 of them were from customers who were taking the antibiotics to treat themselves. There was even one merchant who replied to a question and answered saying the pills were fine for humans to use.
This consumption can lead to critical unforeseen consequences such as detrimental side-effects, treatment failures, and antibiotic drug resistance. “While human consumption of fish antibiotics is likely low, any consumption of antibiotics intended for animals is alarming.” a researcher stated. And its not just aquatic pets getting hit up for their drugs. In a Reddit thread, a user talks about using horse liniment for aches and pains.
So how does the FDA weigh in? To start, these products currently available are not approved from the Food and Drugs Administration. The agency regulates the safety, efficacy and purity of drugs whether they are for humans or animals. “The antibiotics available in pet stores or online for ornamental fish have not been approved, conditionally approved, or indexed by the FDA, so it is illegal to market them,” the FDA said in a statement.
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