The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers that Que She, marketed as an herbal weight loss supplement, contains active pharmaceutical ingredients not listed on the product label that could be harmful -- especially to those with cardiovascular conditions.
People who have purchased Que She should stop taking the product immediately and consult a health care professional, the agency warned.
Que She, advertised as "Slimming Factor Capsule" and as "an all-natural blend of Chinese herbs," has been widely distributed on Internet sites such as the Bouncing Bear Botanicals website, and at retail outlets, including Sacred Journey in Lawrence, Kan.
An FDA analysis of Que She found that it contains:
• fenfluramine -- a stimulant drug withdrawn from the U.S. market in 1997 after studies demonstrated that it caused serious heart valve damage
• propranolol -- a prescription beta blocker drug that can pose a risk to people with bronchial asthma and certain heart conditions
• sibutramine -- a controlled substance and prescription weight loss drug, sibutramine was the subject of a recent study whose preliminary findings showed an association between sibutramine use and increased risk of heart attack and stroke in patients who have a history of heart disease
• ephedrine -- a stimulant drug that is legally marketed over-the-counter for temporary relief of asthma but can pose a risk to people with certain cardiovascular conditions
These active pharmaceutical ingredients also may interact with other medications and result in a serious adverse event.
Consumers and health care professionals are encouraged to report adverse events related to the use of Que She to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.
