Testing by the MHRA (Britain’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) found that these supposedly natural products contain an undeclared pharmaceutical ingredient called sibutramine (Meridia).

In January 2011 the European Union withdrew sibutramine from clinical use due to concerns over serious side effects. The FDA did the same several weeks ago.

Consumers who are otherwise healthy and who take the amount of sibutramine in these products may experience anxiety, nausea, heart palpitations, a racing heart, insomnia, and elevated blood pressure. Sibutramine also may interact with other medications and can cause serious side effects; 781 drugs are known to interact with sibutramine.

The bottom line?

As with other misbranded and misleading drugs, consumers should discontinue Payouji tea and Pai You Guo Slim Capsules immediately.

10/24/10 18:18 JR

Hi, I’m JR

John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.