Complications resulting from the use of Chinese herbal medications containing undeclared prescription drugs.
OBJECTIVE
Many patients with chronic disease use alternative therapies. Our objective was to investigate complications resulting from the use of Chinese herbal medications containing undeclared prescription drugs, and to analyze these pills.


METHODS
Medical records of 5 patients with complications were reviewed. Pills from symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals were analyzed for possible content of undeclared prescription drugs.


RESULTS
All pills analyzed contained mefenamic acid and diazepam. Complications related to the presence of these substances included, among others, massive gastrointestinal bleeding.


CONCLUSIONS
Chinese herbal medications may contain undeclared prescription drugs including nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and benzodiazepines.
Gertner
E
E
St. Paul-Ramsey Medical Center, Section of Rheumatology, MN 55101, USA.
Marshall
P S
PS
Filandrinos
D
D
Potek
A S
AS
Smith
T M
TM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy; D003975:Diazepam / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D007880:Legislation, Drug / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008528:Mefenamic Acid / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008875:Middle Aged; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D008528:Mefenamic Acid; D003975:Diazepam