The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point
  • About this web log

    This blog ran from 2006 to 2016 and was intended as an objective and dispassionate source of information on the latest CAM research. Since my background is in pharmacy and allopathic medicine, I view all CAM as advancing through the development pipeline to eventually become integrated into mainstream medical practice. Some will succeed while others fail. But all are treated fairly here.

  • About the author

    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.

  • Common sense considerations

    The material on this weblog is for informational purposes. It is not medical advice or counsel. Be smart, consult your health professional before using CAM.

  • Recent Posts

  • Recent Comments

    Consumer Alert: Que She

    This “all-natural blend of Chinese herbs” will get this year’s award for the most fraudulently labeled supplement.

    FDA warns consumers and healthcare professionals that Que She, marketed as an herbal weight loss supplement, contains unlisted and active pharmaceutical ingredients that could harm consumers, especially those with cardiovascular conditions.

    Que She is advertised online and in retail outlets as a “Slimming Factor Capsule” and as “an all-natural blend of Chinese herbs.” But the FDA analysis of Que She found that it contains:

    • Fenfluramine (Pondimin)
      • A stimulant drug
      • It was withdrawn from the US market in 1997 after studies demonstrated that it caused serious heart valve damage.
    • Propranolol (Inderal)
      • A prescription beta-blocker drug
      • Propranolol may pose a risk to people with bronchial asthma and certain heart conditions.
    • Sibutramine (Meridia)
      • A controlled substance and prescription weight loss drug
      • A recent study showed an association between sibutramine use and increased risk of heart attack and stroke in patients with a history of heart disease.
    • Ephedrine
      • A stimulant drug
      • Ephedrine is legally marketed over-the-counter for temporary relief of asthma.
      • It may pose a risk to people with certain cardiovascular conditions.

    The bottom line?

    People who purchased Que She should stop taking it immediately and consult a healthcare professional.

    Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of this product to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.

    7/8/10 18:10 JR

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