The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is advising people not to use the herbal weight loss product 'Herbal Flos Lonicerae (Herbal Xenicol) Natural Weight Loss Formula' due to concerns over possible side effects.
The product is believed to be widely available over the internet as well as in some traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) outlets in the UK.
Anyone currently using this product should stop taking it and consult their healthcare professional immediately.
This issue was bought to the Agency's attention by a concerned GP after one patient was hospitalised and several others reported suffering a range of side effects including palpitations, severe gastritis and abdominal pain, as well as insomnia after taking the capsules.
Herbal Flos Lonicerae (Herbal Xenicol) Natural Weight Loss Formula is believed to contain an undeclared pharmaceutical substance and is currently undergoing laboratory testing.
MHRA Head of Herbal Medicines Policy, Richard Woodfield, said: "Since 2005, the MHRA has found over 280 examples where so-called 'herbal' or 'natural' products have been adulterated with random quantities of powerful pharmaceutical substances. Such products pose a real risk to the public.
"It is situations such as this one that the Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) scheme is being introduced and why EU legislation has been changed in order to regulate herbal medicines.
"People have a right to know that what they are putting into their bodies to treat one condition will not directly cause a possibly more severe one simply as a result of very poor practice in parts of the sector.
"The THR scheme will make it possible to give people clear advice on which herbal products are safe to use, and provide an assurance that they were made in adequate conditions, and to the necessary standard."
Source:
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
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