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(Circulation. 2001;103:e9036.)
© 2001 American Heart Association, Inc.

Cardiovascular News

Ruth SoRelle, MPH, Circulation Newswriter

Food and Drug Administration Warns of Dietary Supplements That Cause End-Stage Renal Disease and Cancer

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on April 11, 2001, warned consumers to stop using botanical products containing aristolochic acid. The product may have been called "traditional medicine" or it may be an ingredient in dietary supplements.

The agency took the action because consumption of products containing aristolochic acid has been associated with permanent kidney damage that sometimes causes renal failure, requiring dialysis or transplant. In addition, some patients have developed urinary tract cancers.

In May 2000, the FDA became aware of the association between the use of the dietary supplement and permanent kidney damage in 2 patients in the United Kingdom. Similar cases had been reported in France and Belgium, causing the FDA to impose an import alert on products containing the ingredient. The recent identification of 2 US patients who suffered kidney damage after using botanical products containing aristolochic acid and the identification of products in this country that contain the substance has prompted the FDA to request that US manufacturers recall these products.

The agency is also advising consumers to avoid using products containing aristolochic acid, including those with the words Aristolochia, Bragantia, or Asarum listed as ingredients. The 18 products analyzed by the FDA can be found at www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-bot3.html.

Health and Human Services Secretary Thompson Lauds Organ Donations

Making good on his promise to boost organ donation nationwide, Health and Human Services Secretary Thomas Thompson on April 17, 2001, launched a national initiative to increase the numbers of donors nationwide. Included in his program is the "Workplace Partnership for Life," which brings employers, unions, . . . [Full Text of this Article]