In The News: Renal Toxins in Aristolochia
In The News
Renal Toxins in Aristolochia
June 2001; Volume 3; 47-48
The FDA has released a letter warning health professionals to watch for interstitial fibrosis associated with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), or urothelial tract tumors, connected with use of aristolochic acid-containing dietary supplements. In Belgium, approximately 100 cases of renal disease were reported in patients who took weight-reducing pills containing Aristolochia fangchi between 1990-1992. Since then, two cases of interstitial fibrosis in the United Kingdom, seven cases in France, and two cases in the United States have been linked to botanical preparations containing aristolochic acid. In 2000, it was reported that among 39 patients with ESRD from the original Belgian cohort who underwent surgery, 18 cases (46%) of urothelial carcinoma were identified; all tissue samples contained aristolochic acid-related DNA adducts. Aristolochic acid has been identified in several botanical products sold in the United States. These include single-ingredient products labeled as Aristolochia (sometimes called Virginia snakeroot), botanicals likely to be substituted with Aristolochia (e.g., Stephania tetrandra, Clematis armandii, and Akebia extract), and several finished products sold as dietary supplements. Warning letters and recall requests have been issued. Cases of renal disease or malignancies associated with the use of botanical preparations should be reported as soon as possible to FDA’s MedWatch program by telephone (1-800-332-1088) or Internet (www.fda.gov/medwatch). For additional information, see www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-bot.html.
June 2001; Volume 3; 47-48
Subscribe Now for Access
You have reached your article limit for the month. We hope you found our articles both enjoyable and insightful. For information on new subscriptions, product trials, alternative billing arrangements or group and site discounts please call 800-688-2421. We look forward to having you as a long-term member of the Relias Media community.