November 21, 2000. Jade Pharmacy dietary supplements
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has posted a news release informing consumers about the recall of Jade Pharmacy brand Meridian Circulation tablets and liquid extract, and Jade Pharmacy brand Quell Fire tablets. Both products contain the potentially dangerous substance, aristolochic acid.  [ more info ]

November 21, 2000. Tiratricol (TRIAC)
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has once again issued a warning to consumers about weight loss-products containing tiratricol (also known as triiodothyroacetic acid, or TRIAC). This compound is a thyroid hormone that may lead to life threatening heart attacks or strokes if taken without proper medical supervision.  [ more info ]

November 10, 2000. Phenylpropanolamine (PPA)
      The Medicines Control Agency (U.K.) has issued an advisory to the health care community warning about medicines containing phenylpropanolamine (PPA). The message, from the chairman of the Committee on Safety of Medicines, expressed concern about the possible health dangers of such products available in the U.K.   [ more info in PDF format ]

November 6, 2000. Phenylpropanolamine (PPA)
      Health Canada has issued a public health advisory warning about reported hazards associated with medicines and cold remedies containing phenylpropanolamine (PPA). A comprehensive list of products known to contain PPA is also included.  [ more info ]   [ product list in PDF format ]

November 6, 2000. Phenylpropanolamine (PPA)
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a public health warning about weight-loss products and over-the-counter cold remedies containing phenylpropanolamine (PPA). The advisory expressed the concern about potential hemorrhagic stroke, or bleeding into the brain, associated with the use of products containing this compound.  [ more info ]

May 31, 2000. Aristolochic acid
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has informed the professional medical community of the warning relating to aristolochic acid (May 16, 2000).  [ letter to physicians ]

May 16, 2000. Aristolochic acid
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has informed the dietary supplement manufacturing industry about the reported dangers of products containing aristolochic acid. They have emphasized the public health hazard posed by this botanical, and have requested that all products be carefully monitored for possible contamination by any substances derived from aristolochic acid, related compounds, and their derivatives.  [ letter to industry ]

April 7, 2000. St. John's wort
      Health Canada has issued a public health advisory alerting consumers and the health care community about potential drug interactions with the natural health product, St. John's wort. Several classes of drugs are of greatest concern, namely antiretrovirals, anticoagulants, anti-epileptics, oral contraceptives, and immuno-suppressants.  [ more info ]

March 31, 2000. Ephedrine
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has informed the general public about the availability of documents concerning the regulatory action on ephedrine alkaloids, compounds found in dietary supplements marketed primarily as weight management aids.  [ more info ]

February 29, 2000. St. John's wort
      The Medicines Control Agency (U.K.) has informed the health care community about the possibility of adverse interactions between prescribed medicines and preparations containing the herbal, St. John's wort. Of primary concern are interactions that would render loss of therapeutic effect of the prescribed medicines in question.   [ letter to professionals;   fact sheet for professionals;   fact sheet for the public;   other interactions;   all in PDF format ]

February 10, 2000. St. John's wort
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has informed the professional medical community about a recently completed National Institutes of Health (NIH) study demonstrating an interactivity between St. John's wort, a popular herbal ingredient in many dietary supplements, and the pharmaceutical agent indinavir (a protease inhibitor), and a number of other drugs.  [ more info ]

January 17, 2000. Aristolochic acid
      The Medicines Control Agency (U.K.) has informed all interested parties about regulatory action in the U.K. banning herbal ingredients that are similar to, or potentially confused with aristolochia (aristolochic acid).   [ more info in PDF format ]