Tongqiao Biyan Pian

Canadian authorities issue a recall for Pollen Allergy now called Tongqiao Biyan Pian

The Canadian authorities have issued a recall for Pollen Allergy now called Tongqiao Biyan Pian.

Product name

Pollen Allergy now called Tongqiao Biyan Pian

Product description

Pollen Allergy or Tongqiao Biyan Pian is marketed as a natural health product for the treatment of allergies. It is used for rhinitis, allergies, chronic rhinocleeisis, rhinorrhea, sneezes and coughs.

Reason for warning

Health Canada has issued a recall from the Canadian market after testing found levels of arsenic that exceed limits allowed by Health Canada. The product was also found to contain two undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients in low amounts. It contained chlorphenamine (an antihistamine) and paracetamol (called acetaminophen in the USA and Canada). None of these ingredients are listed on the label.

Possible side effects:

For pregnant women, consumption of products with arsenic may increase the risks of pre-term birth, stillbirth or miscarriage. Children and adults who are exposed to arsenic may experience side-effects such as stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle cramping, weakness, skin rash, numbness or tingling and loss of movement.

It is vitally important that all ingredients are declared on the label to avoid the risk of possible allergic reactions in consumers with known allergies to chlorphenamine or paracetamol. In addition, consumers may have been unknowingly at risk of a paracetamol overdose if they were taking other products containing paracetamol.

Antihistamines, such as chlorphenamine, are not recommended for use in children less than six years of age.

It is unclear whether these products are available in retail outlets in the UK but could be available on the internet.

Recall of Viridian Black Cohosh Root capsules

In response to an urgent notice issued by the MHRA, 

Viridian Nutrition has agreed torecall stocks of Black

Cohosh Root Capsules, as some batches of the product have

been found to contain an undeclared plant species in 

addition to the declared plant species.

Shark Essence

Advice to consumers not to use Shark Essence, a herbal medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction

The MHRA is advising consumers not to use the product specified below due to concerns about possible side-effects.

Product name

Shark Essence

Product description

Shark Essence is marketed as a herbal medicine that treats sexual dysfunction.

Reason for warning

The MHRA has received advice from the Ministry of Health, Jerusalem warning that this unlicensed product has been tested and found to contain Tadalafil and Sildenafil which are Prescription Only Medicines used in the treatment of male erectile dysfunction. These active ingredients are not listed on the product label.

Possible side effects:

Tadalafil is the active ingredient in a Prescription Only Medicine called Cialis and should only be used when prescribed by a doctor. Uncontrolled consumption of Tadalafil is dangerous and could potentially cause serious adverse reactions such as heart attack, stroke and severe hypotension.

Sildenafil is the active ingredient in a Prescription Only Medicine called Viagra and should only be used when prescribed by a doctor. Uncontrolled consumption can cause potentially life-threatening high blood pressure. Individuals with heart problems are at increased risk of cardiovascular side-effects such as heart attack, stroke, chest pain and abnormal heart beat. Other side effects include headache, indigestion, dizziness and abnormal vision.

It is unclear whether these products are available in retail outlets within the United Kingdom but could be available on the internet.

Ultra Slim For Slimming

Advice to consumers not to use Ultra Slim, a herbal slimming product

The MHRA is advising consumers not to use the product specified below due to concerns about possible side-effects.

Product name

Ultra Slim

Product description

The product is in capsule form, it is advertised as a natural weight loss product based on a Chinese herb formula called DaiDaiHua. This product was shipped from the USA. MHRA have also issued a previous alert about DaiDaiHua.

Reason for warning

The MHRA has received advice from the Danish Medicines Agency that this unlicensed product have been tested and found to contain the Prescription Only Medicine Sibutramine which was withdrawn from the market in January 2010, on safety grounds, due to increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.

It is unclear whether these products are available in retail outlets but could be available on the internet.

Possible side effects

Sibutramine has been withdrawn from the EU market, due to increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Black Cohosh Root capsules

People asked to return Black Cohosh Root capsules made by Viridian Nutrition

People who use herbal products are being asked to check if they have any ‘Black Cohosh Root’ capsules that are made by Viridian Nutrition in their homes. If they do, people should return the product to where they bought it because the product has been found to contain an unintended and undeclared plant material.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has taken action to request that the manufacturer Viridian Nutrition also recalls their ‘Black Cohosh Root’ capsules from sale in health shops. The manufacturer stopped marketing this product in July but some stock of the product may still be being sold.

Testing found that the product, which should only contain Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), also contained another species, most probably Cimicifuga foetida. The undeclared plant material, Cimicifuga foetida, is not generally used in Western herbal medicine and its properties or safety has not been evaluated. This means that the product is not what is says it is or of the quality required and must be removed from the market.

David Carter, Manager of the MHRA’s Medicines Borderline Section said: “We expect a product to list all the correct ingredients on the label. In this instance they were not fully listed and, therefore, the product does not meet the standards required for public use. That is why we have told the company to recall the product from retailers and also to ensure that the recall is communicated to members of the public.”

The MHRA always recommends that registered herbal products are used. Registered products can be identified by the Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) registration number or logo on their packaging. These products have been assessed and quality checked to ensure that they are acceptably safe to use and are accompanied by a leaflet with information on how to use the product with possible side effects listed.

Herbal remedies should be used with the same caution and care as any other medicine as their use will have an effect on the body. While many herbal remedies are reasonably safe, it is important to remember that just because it contains natural ingredients and extracts this doesn’t guarantee it is safe. People should always consult with a pharmacist or doctor to make sure that an herbal remedy is suitable for them to take and will not interact with any other medicines they may be taking.