Health Canada, Nov 3, 1999
1999-129
November 3, 1999
Warning
Warning not to use
products containing aristolochia due to potential risk of cancer, cell
changes and kidney failure
OTTAWA - Health Canada is advising consumers not to use
manufactured products containing Aristolochia without discussing this with
their health care providers. Aristolochia is an herb which produces
Aristolochic Acid and has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Aristolochic Acid can cause cancer, mutations in human cells and is known
to cause end-stage kidney failure.
Products labelled to contain MuTong may also contain Aristolochic Acid.
MuTong refers to a number of herbs, Stephania, Clematis, Akebia and
Aristolochia, which are used interchangeably in Traditional Chinese
Medicines. Consumers wishing to use products labelled to contain MuTong
should contact their health care providers for advice.
The following products have been analysed by Health Canada and found to
contain Aristolochic Acid. Consequently, retailers, manufacturers and
importers are being asked to discontinue the sale of these products.
Consumers who have purchased such products may wish to return them to
their point of purchase at their own discretion.
- Lishih Brand Touku Natural Herbal Rheumatic Pills:
- Box with red packaging and skeletal person on front / white
bottle with red label and yellow stripe at top / black coloured pills.
- Star Ring Brand Tri-Snakegall & Fritillary Powder:
Quangzhou Qixing Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, China
- Box / bottle
with green packaging, red writing and a circle logo in corner / brown
coloured powder
- Yang Cheng Brand Tri-Snakegall & Fritillary Powder:
The United Pharmaceutical Manufactory, Ghangzhou, China
- Green
box / bottle with red writing and star&circle logo in corner /
brown coloured powder
- Shun Chi Wan Tracheitis Pills:
Beijing Tung Jen Tang, Beijing, China
- Yellow packaging with
red lettering and white stripe at bottom / white coloured pills
- 707 Wei Yao Gastropathy Capsules:
Zhengjiang Chinese Medicine Works, Kiangsu, China
- Box / bottle
with blue & white packaging, gold lettering / red coloured
capsules
There have been numerous international reports of death or injury from
kidney failure due to ingestion of products found to contain Aristolochic
Acid. Reported incidences were associated with substitutions of
Aristolochia for other herbs, herbs used in Traditional Chinese Medicine
(TCM) not being prescribed by trained TCM practitioners and TCM herbs
being prescribed in conjunction with Western drugs.
To date, no incidences of this nature have been reported in Canada.
This warning will be distributed to the Chamber of Chinese Herbal
Medicines of Canada, associations of Chinese importers and Ayurvedic
medicine, the Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Pharmacists
Association of Canada, Provincial and Territorial Ministries of Health,
Poison Control Centres and other relevant associations.
Consumers are advised that any medicine assessed by Health Canada for
safety, effectiveness and quality will carry an eight digit Drug
Identification Number (DIN) on the label.
The text in this article was prepared by Health Canada.