Advisory

2005-114
October 25, 2005
For immediate release

Health Canada warns consumers not to take Liqiang 4 due to potential health risk

OTTAWA - Health Canada is warning consumers not to take Liqiang 4 Dietary Supplement Capsules because they contain glyburide, a prescription drug that can have life-threatening consequences for people with low blood sugar or diabetes.

Liqiang 4 capsules, promoted for use in the control of diabetes, are not approved for sale in Canada. They were marketed throughout the United States and through mail order by Bugle International of Northridge, California. Although they have not been found on the Canadian market, Canadians may have obtained this product by mail order or over the Internet. Canada Customs has been notified to detain any shipments of Liqiang 4 capsules at the border. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also issued a public warning against the use of this product. To date, no adverse reactions from the use of Liquang 4 have been reported in Canada.

Glyburide is a prescription drug used to lower blood sugar, and is safe and effective when used as labelled in approved medications and under medical supervision. People who have low blood sugar or those with diabetes can receive dangerously high amounts of glyburide by consuming Liqiang 4. Similarly, glyburide in Liqiang 4 products when used with other diabetes drugs will increase the effects of those drugs, leading to a dangerous drop in blood sugar.

In certain situations, for people with diabetes who use this product as the only treatment for their diabetes, the undeclared and uncontrolled amount of glyburide in Liqiang 4 may not be sufficient to effectively lower their level of blood sugar.

Consumers should immediately stop using these products and seek medical attention, especially if they are currently being treated with diabetes drugs. Immediate medical attention should also be sought if consumers are experiencing symptoms of low or high blood sugar that include: rapid heartbeat, fatigue, blurred vision, headache, excessive hunger, excessive thirst, profuse sweating or confusion, numbness of the extremities, tingling of the mouth, difficulty breathing, seizures or loss of consciousness.

The product, which is manufactured by Liqiang Research Institute, China, has also been termed Liqiang Xiao Ke Ling (Liqiang Thirst Quenching Efficacious) in ads in Chinese language publications. It has been promoted as useful for the control of diabetes and as being derived from only natural ingredients. The product is sold as part of a shrink-wrapped, two-bottle set. One of the 90 capsule bottles is labeled Liqiang 4 Dietary Supplement Capsules; the other bottle is promoted as a "bonus pack" of Liqiang 1.

At this time, the United States Food and Drugs Administration is evaluating Liquang 1 and other versions of this line of products to determine their composition. Health Canada will inform the public when further information becomes available.

Canadians should only use drugs and natural health products that have been authorized for sale by Health Canada. Authorized drugs and natural health products will bear either an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), a Natural Product Number (NPN) or a Homeopathic Drug Number (DIN-HM). This authorization indicates that the products have been assessed by Health Canada for safety, efficacy and quality.

The public is encouraged to inform Health Canada if they are aware of the sale of Liqiang 4 Dietary Supplement Capsules or any Liqiang products. The toll-free number for calls to the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate is 1-800-267-9675.

To report a suspected adverse reaction, please contact the Canadian Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Program (CADRMP) of Health Canada by one of the following methods:

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

CADRMP
Marketed Health Products Directorate
Health Protection Building, Tunney's Pasture, AL 0701C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9

Email: cadrmp@hc-sc.gc.ca

Website:
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/advers_react_neg/index_e.html

-30-

Media Inquiries:
Christopher Williams
Health Canada
(613) 946-4250

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