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FDA Warns Consumers About Alternative Lyme Disease Treatment

July 24, 2006

Lyme Disease • Lyme Disease Causes Misery Nationwide • FDA Warns Consumers About Alternative Lyme Disease Treatment • Experts See Rise In Tick-Borne Disease • Lyme Disease Not Easy to Prevent, Dignose or Treat

The Food & Drug Administration is warning consumers and health care providers not to use a product called "bismacine," also known as chromacine.

The FDA is investigating one report of a death and several reports of injury related to the administration of bismacine.

Bismacine is an injectable product that has been used to treat Lyme disease. But bismacine is not approved for anything, the FDA says, including Lyme disease.

Bismacine is not a pharmaceutical and is mixed individually by druggists. It is prescribed or administered by doctors of "alternative health" or by people claiming to be medical doctors.

"This product contains high amounts of bismuth, a heavy metal that is used in some medications taken by mouth to treat Helicobacter pylori (a bacteria that can cause stomach ulcers), but that is not approved in any form for use by injection," FDA said in a statement.

On April 20, 2006, one person died as a result of treatment with bismacine, and on March 29, 2005, another person was hospitalized after receiving a bismacine treatment, according to the agency.

Other individuals who have used or been administered this product have also suffered serious adverse events. Possible effects of bismuth poisoning include cardio-vascular collapse and kidney failure.

FDA is advising consumers and health care providers not to use bismacine. Individuals who believe they have suffered adverse events from receiving bismacine may wish to seek medical attention.

FDA said it is evaluating the product suppliers and will take additional action as appropriate.

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