The FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have warned companies that market any of 12 unapproved opioid cessation products that their claims to treat opioid misuse disorder or withdrawal symptoms are illegal.

“People who are addicted to opioids should have access to safe and effective treatments and not be victimized by unscrupulous vendors who are trying to capitalize on the opioid epidemic by taking advantage of consumers and selling products with baseless claims,” FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, said in a statement. Gottlieb added that the FDA and FTC will step up their efforts to stop unapproved products from being marketed as treatments for opioid misuse disorder or withdrawal.