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Herbal products contain drugs for diabetes
Posted
3-6-2000 Sacramento, Calif. Five brands of herbal products found to contain prescription drugs used to treat diabetes could be dangerous to consumers, especially those with diabetes, warn the California Department of Health Services (CDHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The products, which can be purchased over the Internet, by mail, or by phone, were found to contain the drugs glyburide and phenformin, which are used to treat diabetes. The products’ manufacturers, in agreement with the FDA, have recalled the products. An investigation was launched by the CDHS’ Food and Drug branch after a Northern California diabetic patient suffered several episodes of low blood sugar after taking one of the products. A spokesperson for Sino American Health Products Inc., of Torrance, Calif., said the FDA had initially approved their product, Zhen Qi Capsules, but in light of the CDHS’ testing, the company recalled the product and is in the process of reformulating it to submit to the state for further testing. The recalled products are: Diabetes Hypoglucose Capsules and Pearl Hypoglycemic Capsules, both sold by Chinese Angel Health Products of Santa Monica, Calif.; Sino American’s Zhen Qi Capsules; and Tongyi Tang Diabetes Angel Pearl Hypoglycemic Capsules and Tongyi Tang Diabetes Angel Hypoglycemic Capsules. CDHS officials warn that consumers who use these products could receive dangerously high amounts of glyburide and phenformin. Consumers can return the products to the seller for a full refund. Mindy Green, director of education for the Herb Research Foundation in Boulder, Colo., warned consumers of herbal products to call manufacturers and ask about the contents and testing of the products before using them. "You should always ask common-sense kinds of details, especially for a condition as severe as diabetes," she said.
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