There are many different brands of Chinese medicinal formulas a.d. as with medicinal herbs, care should be taken with purchasing. Incorrectly labeled products and/or the presence of contaminants, adulterations, or substitutions have all been reported in conjunction with Chinese medicinal formulas. Contaminants s.c. as heavy metals and/or substitutions with pharmaceutical drugs (over the counter and prescription) are a serious health hazard.
The American Association of Oriental Medicine (AAOM) has published a list of manufactures and medicinal formulas that have been reported with adulterations and/or contaminants. The AAOM states that this list is not all-inclusive. Just because it is not on the list does not necessarily mean it is safe. Consultation with a Chinese medical practitioner is advised before purchasing any Chinese medicinal formula. The AAOM is requesting it's medical practitioners to require spectrographic proof of purity from the manufacturers before prescribing a specific patent medicine.
The following is the list published by the AAOM:
|
FORMULA |
MANUFACTURER |
REPORTED CONTAMINANT / ADULERANT |
|
An Gong Nu Huang Wan |
Tung Jen Tan Pharm Factory |
Arsenic Mercury |
|
Da Huo Luo Wan |
Guangzou Chen Li Ji Pharm |
Mercury |
|
Dendrobum Moniliforme |
Tientsin Pharmaceutical Manufactory |
Mercury |
|
Night Sight Pills |
Tientsin Pharmaceutical Manufactory |
Mercury |
|
Niu Huang Chiang Ya Wan |
Tianjin Pharmaceutical Manufactory |
Mercury, Lead |
|
Niu Huang Chiang Ya Wan |
Tianjin Pharmaceutical Manufactory |
Lead |
|
Niu Huang Chiang Ya Wan |
Tiantsin Pharmaceutical Manufactory |
Mercury, Lead |
|
Niu Huang Chiang Ya Wan |
Peiking Tung Jen Tang |
Mercury, Lead |
|
Ta Huo Lo Tan |
Beijing Tung Jen Tang |
Mercury, Lead |
|
Bi Tong Pian |
Guangzhou Medicine and Health |
Chlorpheniramine |
|
Bi Yan Pian |
Chung Lien Pharmaceutical Works |
Acetaminophen |
|
Farfunpeiminkam Wan |
Foshan United Pharmaceutical |
Chlorpheniramine |
|
Farfunpeiminkam Wan |
Bai Yun Shan Herb Factory |
Chlorpheniramine |
|
Gan Mao Ling (Yang Cheng) |
United Pharmaceutical |
Acetaminophen, Caffeine Chlorpheniramine |
|
High Strength Yin Chiao |
United Pharmaceutical |
Acetaminophen, Pulegone Chlorpheniramine |
|
Huang Lien Shang Ching Pian |
Tianjin Pharmaceutical Manufactory |
Pulegone |
|
Ma Hsing Zhe Ke Pian |
China National Native Products |
Ephedrine |
|
Marguerite Acne Pills(Peacock) |
Foshan United Pharmceutical Manufactory |
Sophoridane |
|
Pe Min Kan Wan (Chu Kiang) |
United Pharmaceutical |
Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylporpanolamine hydrochloride |
|
Pe Min Kan Wan (Yan Jiang) |
United Pharmaceutical |
Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylporpanolamine hydrochloride |
|
Shen Ling Bai Zhu Pian |
Tianjin Pharmaceutical Manufactory |
Isoborneol |
|
Yin Chiao Chieh Tu Pian (Yang Cheng) |
Tianjin Medicine and Health |
Isoborneol |
|
Yin Chiao Chieh Tu Pian (Plum Flower) |
Tianjin Medicine and Health |
Pulegone |
|
Zhi Sou Ding Chuan Wan |
Tienjin Medicine and Health |
Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine |
|
Zhong Gan Ling |
Tianjin Medicine and Health |
Aminopyrine, Dipyrone |
SLIDESHOW
16 Foods That Boost and Improve Your Immune System See SlideshowPossible side effects that could be encountered from using an adulterated product (as listed by the AAOM)
Severe:
Agranulocytosis (Aminopyrine, Dipyrone)
Arrhythmia (Ephedrine)
Cerebral edema (Pulegone)
Convulsions (Ephedrine)
Epilepticencephalopathy (Pulegone)
Emesis (Caffeine)
Fatal bone marrow toxicity (Aminopyrine)
Liver damage (Acetaminophen)
Liver failure (Pulegone)
Seizure (Ephedrine)
Tachycardia (Ephedrine, Phenylpropanolamine, Pseudoephedrine)
Other possible side effects:
Drowsiness (Chlorpheniramine)
Increased blood pressure (Phenylpropanolamine, Pseudoephedrine)
Insomnia (Caffeine, Mercury)
Lightheadedness (Chlorpheniramine)
Palpitations (Ephedrine, Phenylpropanolamine, Pseudoephedrine)
Restlessness (Caffeine)
Tense muscles (Caffeine)
Possible side effects that could be encountered from using contaminated products (as listed by the AAOM):
Severe Abdominal pain (Lead)
Anuri (Arsenic)
Constriction of the throat (Arsenic)
Convulsion (Arsenic)
CNS symptoms s.c. as pain and muscle weakness; acute hemolytic crisis;
kidney damage, and possible Death (Arsenic, Lead)
Difficulty swallowing (Arsenic)
Dyspnea (Mercury)
Excruciating gastric pain (Arsenic)
Hematuria (Arsenic)
Muscle cramps (Arsenic)
Neurological effects s.c. as tremor, depression, irritability, emotional
instability, forgetfulness, confusion (Mercury)
Oliguria (Arsenic)
Projectile Vomiting (Arsenic)
Proteinuria (Arsenic)
Severe thirst (Arsenic)
Severe diarrhea (Arsenic)
Shock (Lead, Arsenic)
Other possible side effects:
Burning lips (Arsenic)
Black stool (Lead)
Chills (Mercury)
Constipation (Lead)
Cough (Mercury)
Chest tightness (Mercury)
Diarrhea (Lead)
Metallic taste in mouth (Lead, Mercury)
Nausea (Lead, Mercury)
Thirst (Lead)
Vomiting (Lead, Mercury)
Weakness (Mercury)
Copyright 1999 RxList
