Clinical Toxicology
ISSN: 0009-9309 (Print) (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ictx18
Chinese Herbal Medicines To cite this article: (1975) Chinese Herbal Medicines, Clinical Toxicology, 8:1, 137-138, DOI: 10.3109/15563657508988056 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/15563657508988056
Published online: 25 Sep 2008.
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Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=ictx18 Download by: [University of California Santa Barbara]
Date: 06 November 2015, At: 11:59
CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY 8(1), pp. 137-138 (1975)
Downloaded by [University of California Santa Barbara] at 11:59 06 November 2015
NEWS ITEM
Chinese Herbal Medicines
Chinese "herbal remedies" containing substantial quantities of undeclared phenylbutazone and aminopyrine have been associated with the recent death of one person and the hospitalization of four others due to &anulocytosis. All five persons were Caucasians, four from the San Francisco area and one from Minneapolis, Analysis disclosed that the pills they had used contained up to 30 mg phenylbutazone per pill and 30 mg aminopyrine per pill. Typically the label directions call for taking 12 to 18 pills a day. The labels on the packages list only the herbal ingredients. The herbal remedies encountered to date are hard, spherical black o r brown tablets approximately 1/4 in. in diameter. The drug containers are occasionally packed in bright-colored cardboard boxes with pictures depicting men and women suffering from back o r leg pains. Several brand names and firms are involved to date. Typical labeling for such products includes the following indications: arthritis, rheumatism, headache, anemophobia, paralysis, back neuralgia, bone pain, acute or chronic neuralgial and other pain caused by rheumatism. Some products are offered for promotion of the circulation of the blood o r for sexual rejuvenation. These drugs reach the United States illegally, apparently by individual mail shipments o r in personal luggage. They a r e distributed within the United States, largely through noncommer cial channels, but have been found available in specialty stores (such as Chinese grocery stores and gift shops). These irregular modes of entry and distribution mean that the usual regulatory procedures of the FDA and the U. S. Customs Service can not be fully successful in preventing availability of these products. Therefore, through publicity and individual visits, state and federal authorities have attempted to inform the people 13 7
NEWS ITEM
Downloaded by [University of California Santa Barbara] at 11:59 06 November 2015
138
most likely to use these drug products about the hazards involved, and have visited likely commercial outlets. Although phenylbutazone and aminopyrine have led to the toxic reactions detected so far, other undeclared potent drugs also may be present in these herbal remedies. Additional drugs reported to date are methyltestosterone, prednisolone, diazepam, chlorozoxozone (a "skeletal muscle relaxant"), and acetaminophen, in amounts such that the recommended 12-18 pills a day would provide approximately therapeutic doses. Any physician encountering a patient with agranulocytosis should consider the possibility that the patient has been using a Chinese herbal remedy containing phenylbutazone o r aminopyrine o r both. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration recommends that physicians and other health professionals advise any persons using such products to discontinue their use. Any information concerning adverse reactions to Chinese herbal remedies as well as information related to their sale and distribution may be transmitted to FDA by contacting the nearest FDA office. L I S T O F P R O D U C T S AND C O M P A N I E S Long Life Brand Ginseng Hui Sheng Tsaitsaowan
Nan Lien Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
Chui Fong Toukuwan Nan Lien
Nan Lien Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
Sanlung Pai Ginseng Hui Sheng Tsai Tsao Wan
Nan Lien Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
Fonsuning Tongwan Lilong Pai
Nan Lien Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
Hippo Brand Secret Formula Chui Fung Eng
Nan Lien Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
Chihshihton
Ichongtai Pharmaceutical co. Ltd.
Favina
Baker & Berlin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
Shou Sing Chui Fong Toukuwan
Shou Sing Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
ISSN: 0009-9309 (Print) (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ictx18
Chinese Herbal Medicines To cite this article: (1975) Chinese Herbal Medicines, Clinical Toxicology, 8:1, 137-138, DOI: 10.3109/15563657508988056 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/15563657508988056
Published online: 25 Sep 2008.
Submit your article to this journal
Article views: 4
View related articles
Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=ictx18 Download by: [University of California Santa Barbara]
Date: 06 November 2015, At: 11:59
CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY 8(1), pp. 137-138 (1975)
Downloaded by [University of California Santa Barbara] at 11:59 06 November 2015
NEWS ITEM
Chinese Herbal Medicines
Chinese "herbal remedies" containing substantial quantities of undeclared phenylbutazone and aminopyrine have been associated with the recent death of one person and the hospitalization of four others due to &anulocytosis. All five persons were Caucasians, four from the San Francisco area and one from Minneapolis, Analysis disclosed that the pills they had used contained up to 30 mg phenylbutazone per pill and 30 mg aminopyrine per pill. Typically the label directions call for taking 12 to 18 pills a day. The labels on the packages list only the herbal ingredients. The herbal remedies encountered to date are hard, spherical black o r brown tablets approximately 1/4 in. in diameter. The drug containers are occasionally packed in bright-colored cardboard boxes with pictures depicting men and women suffering from back o r leg pains. Several brand names and firms are involved to date. Typical labeling for such products includes the following indications: arthritis, rheumatism, headache, anemophobia, paralysis, back neuralgia, bone pain, acute or chronic neuralgial and other pain caused by rheumatism. Some products are offered for promotion of the circulation of the blood o r for sexual rejuvenation. These drugs reach the United States illegally, apparently by individual mail shipments o r in personal luggage. They a r e distributed within the United States, largely through noncommer cial channels, but have been found available in specialty stores (such as Chinese grocery stores and gift shops). These irregular modes of entry and distribution mean that the usual regulatory procedures of the FDA and the U. S. Customs Service can not be fully successful in preventing availability of these products. Therefore, through publicity and individual visits, state and federal authorities have attempted to inform the people 13 7
NEWS ITEM
Downloaded by [University of California Santa Barbara] at 11:59 06 November 2015
138
most likely to use these drug products about the hazards involved, and have visited likely commercial outlets. Although phenylbutazone and aminopyrine have led to the toxic reactions detected so far, other undeclared potent drugs also may be present in these herbal remedies. Additional drugs reported to date are methyltestosterone, prednisolone, diazepam, chlorozoxozone (a "skeletal muscle relaxant"), and acetaminophen, in amounts such that the recommended 12-18 pills a day would provide approximately therapeutic doses. Any physician encountering a patient with agranulocytosis should consider the possibility that the patient has been using a Chinese herbal remedy containing phenylbutazone o r aminopyrine o r both. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration recommends that physicians and other health professionals advise any persons using such products to discontinue their use. Any information concerning adverse reactions to Chinese herbal remedies as well as information related to their sale and distribution may be transmitted to FDA by contacting the nearest FDA office. L I S T O F P R O D U C T S AND C O M P A N I E S Long Life Brand Ginseng Hui Sheng Tsaitsaowan
Nan Lien Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
Chui Fong Toukuwan Nan Lien
Nan Lien Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
Sanlung Pai Ginseng Hui Sheng Tsai Tsao Wan
Nan Lien Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
Fonsuning Tongwan Lilong Pai
Nan Lien Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
Hippo Brand Secret Formula Chui Fung Eng
Nan Lien Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
Chihshihton
Ichongtai Pharmaceutical co. Ltd.
Favina
Baker & Berlin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
Shou Sing Chui Fong Toukuwan
Shou Sing Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
