The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 275 No 7365 p274
3 September 2005

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Ayurvedic remedies warning

Ayurvedic medicines on the UK market may contain high levels of heavy metals, such as mercury, arsenic and lead, warns the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

It is advising consumers not to take certain products and says that people already taking them should discontinue use and consult their pharmacist or doctor.

Roy Alder, director of executive support at the MHRA, said: “These metals can cause severe nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Other serious problems such as kidney damage and coma have also been reported.”

A list of the affected products is on the MHRA website (PDF 80K).