Americans are traveling to Mexico because medicines are cheaper there as well as healthcare. However, the U.S. warned about fake pills being sold in Mexican pharmacies, including some that may even contain fentanyl and methamphetamine.

According to Axios, the U.S. State Department told citizens to "exercise caution when purchasing medication in Mexico." It comes as reports of fake pills being laced with illegal drugs like fentanyl and meth being sold in Mexico are spreading.

"Counterfeit pills are readily advertised on social media and can be purchased at small, non-chain pharmacies in Mexico along the border and in tourist areas," said the travel alert, which was posted on Friday.

READ NEXT: Mexico: Teen Boy 'El Chapito' Arrested for Drug-Related Killings of 8 People

Counterfeit Pills Sold in Mexico Look Like Legitimate Medication Brands

The Los Angeles Times was the first to report on incidences of American tourists buying fake pills in Mexico, with many being fooled by how real these pills look. However, the report noted that these fake pills are being sold on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

These pills are often represented as legitimate medications, such as OxyContin, Percocet, Xanax, and others. The State Department's advisory noted that these pills might be fake as they often do not require a prescription. 

Most people who take fentanyl do not know they are taking fentanyl until it is too late, with many of them dying of overdose after taking these fake pills.

"Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments," the State Department advisory noted.

It added that these fake medicines are "readily advertised on social media and can be purchased at small, non-chain pharmacies in Mexico along the border and in tourist areas."

Mexico had long attracted Americans for "medical tourism" because it is cheap. However, when four Americans were kidnapped by a notorious drug cartel, resulting in the deaths of two of them, it brought more scrutiny into this practice. It exposed much of what is happening in the U.S. with rising healthcare costs.

Mexico President Teases Fentanyl Ban and Blames U.S. Drug Policy

After denying that the fentanyl being smuggled into the U.S. was being produced in Mexico, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) has been grappling with the issue of fentanyl and has now admitted that it is now a major security concern in the country.

U.S. authorities stated that the majority of the fentanyl being illegally smuggled into the U.S. comes from Mexico, and they are usually made in clandestine Mexican labs and made using chemicals imported from China.

AMLO has recently called the anti-drug policies in the U.S. a failure before proposing that Mexico should ban fentanyl in medicine, according to ABC News.

The Mexican president added that he would ask doctors and experts whether the use of fentanyl could be ended and also reduce its illicit use. He said the Mexican government would also ask the U.S. if it could end the medical use of the drug in the country.

READ MORE: Mexico Kidnapping Update: Drug Cartel Sends Apology Letter

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Cartels Are Making Millions on Fentanyl-Laced Medicine - From VICE