FDA RECALLS Two Herbal Supplements

[Guest guest]

-

http://www.richters.com/newdisplay.cgi?page=./HL/20020308-1.html & cart_id=4749280\

..17726 -

 

15. FDA Recalls Two Herbal Supplements

--

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, AP -- Consumers should immediately stop using two products

sold as herbal supplements that actually contain powerful prescription drugs,

the Food and Drug Administration said Friday.

 

The recalled products are named PC SPES and SPES. Manufacturer BotanicLab

recalled the products after testing by the California Health Department

uncovered the contamination.

 

PC SPES, capsules containing a light brown powder marketed for " prostate

health, " contains warfarin, a powerful blood thinner often sold under the brand

name Coumadin, California health officials said.

 

Warfarin can cause serious bleeding, especially if taken together with aspirin

or certain other drugs, and thus should be used under a doctor's care with

strict blood testing.

 

SPES, capsules containing a brown powder marketed as an immune enhancer, contain

alprazolam, an anti-anxiety drug often sold under the brand name Xanax, the

California testing found.

 

Alprazolam exacerbates the effects of alcohol and other sedating drugs and ma y

be habit-forming.

 

The capsules were sold by mail, phone and Internet order as well as by stores

and health care professionals. Consumers with unused capsules may return them to

BotanicLab, which can be reached at 1-800-458-5854. Consumers with questions

also may contact California health investigators at 1-800-495-3232.

 

Brea, Calif.-based BotanicLab said the alprazolam may have come from

contamination of raw ingredients in China and that it was strengthening its

product testing. The company said it still is analyzing the warfarin issue.