The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 275 No 7380 p737
17 December 2005

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Toxic herbal medicines alert

Consumers are warned by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency not to purchase or use two African herbal remedies — M2 and Energy 2000.

The MHRA says that the products may contain Strophanthus sarmentosus or Aristolochia species. Aristolochia species, which can cause kidney failure and cancer, are banned in unlicensed herbal remedies in the UK. Strophanthus species can result in heart problems including abnormal heart rate and heart failure.