Chinese herbal remedies withdrawn

Health Ministry warns 11 Chinese herbal remedies may serious health problems - withdrawn from sale

21 January 2003
Warnings have been issued about the dangers of 11 traditional Chinese herbal remedies after it was revealed they contained toxic substances.

Three of the banned medicines were found to contain the herb aristolochia, which can cause renal failure, while others had arsenic and the ability to interfere with heart medication.

Ministry of Health Senior Medical Advisor Dr Stewart Jessamine says anyone using the remedies should see their doctor.

The following medicine products which contain prescription medicines including sildenafil, ephedrine and arsenic are being withdrawn:

Guan Xin Su He capsules; Long Dan Xie Gan Wan pills, Zhiyuan Xinqinkeli sachets. These products contain aristolochic acid, which has been linked to severe kidney damage and urinary tract cancer.

Wei Ge Wang tablets all contain prescription medicine sildenfil, which interferes with some heart medication and could be fatal to some people.

Sang Ju Gan Mao Pian tablets; contain pharmacy-only medicines which can only be sold at pharmacies.

Yen Qiao Jie Du Pian capsules.

The following products contain prescription medicines:

Niu Huang Jie Du Pian tablets; Xiaoke Wan pills; Shuen Feng cream; Zentel Albendazole SK and F tablets; Dezhong Rhinitis drops.

© 2009 NZCity, IRN