Advisory

2006-98
October 12, 2006
For immediate release

Health Canada advises consumers not to use two unauthorized natural health products due to heavy metal contamination

OTTAWA - Health Canada is advising consumers not to use the unauthorized natural health products Emperor's Tea Pill (Tian Huang Bu Xin Wan) and Hepatico Extract (Shu Gan Wan) because certain lots of these products contain high levels of lead and mercury. Consumption of heavy metals such as lead and mercury can pose serious health risks because the metals may accumulate in vital organs of the body. Infants, children and pregnant women are most susceptible to the toxic effects of heavy metals.

The affected lots include Emperor's Tea Pill lot #010705 with an expiration date of July 2010, and Hepatico Extract lots #040804 and #110604 with expiration dates of August 2009 and June 2009 respectively. Both of these products are manufactured by Lanzhou Traditional Chinese Herbs of China.

The toxic effects of lead may cause abdominal pain, anemia, changes in blood pressure, reproductive effects, weakness, concentration problems, weight loss, insomnia, dizziness, kidney and brain damage, and ultimately death. The toxic effects of mercury may cause irritability, tremors, memory loss, insomnia, concentration problems, and can permanently damage the brain and kidneys.

Emperor's Tea Pill is promoted to treat insomnia, mental weariness, amnesia, palpitations and constipation. Hepatico Extract is promoted to treat abdominal gas, hiccups, belching, loose stools and poor appetite.

These products are or may have been sold over the Internet and may also have been brought into Canada for personal use by travellers. However, these products have not been authorized by Health Canada for sale in Canada.

Consumers who have used these products and are concerned about their health should contact a health practitioner for advice. For more information about lead poisoning, contact the nearest poison control centre. Its number should be in the first pages of your local phone book. You can also look at the It's Your Health fact sheets on the effects of lead or mercury on human health.

One adverse reaction associated with the use of both Emperor's Tea Pill and Hepatico Extract was reported in the United States. As a result, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene tested the two products and issued a warning advising the public not to purchase or consume them. No adverse reactions associated with either of these products have been reported to Health Canada.

Consumers requiring more information about this advisory can contact the Health Canada public inquiries line at (613) 957-2991, or toll free at 1-866-225-0709.

To report a suspected adverse reaction to these products or any other health product, please contact the Canadian Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Program (CADRMP) of Health Canada by one of the following methods:

Telephone: 1-866-234-2345
Facsimile: 1-866-678-6789

CADRMP
Marketed Health Products Directorate
Tunney's Pasture, AL 0701C
email: cadrmp@hc-sc.gc.ca

The CADRMP adverse reaction reporting form, including a version that can be completed and submitted online, is located on the MedEffect portal of the Health Canada Web site.

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Media Inquiries:
Alastair Sinclair
Health Canada
(613) 957-1803

Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709