Clipping Board » Drug Poisoning ─ It is necessary to be aware of the toxic side effects before taking medication.
[Reporter Hong Suqing / Taipei Report]
A woman nearly lost her life due to drug-induced pneumonia caused by taking traditional Chinese medicine for weight loss! Recently, a hospital received a case where a woman developed interstitial pneumonia and acute respiratory failure after self-administering the Chinese medicine "Fangfeng Tongsheng San" for weight loss. After emergency intubation and treatment with steroids and other medications, she was discharged safely.
Similar cases have occurred in Japan.
In fact, there are several brands of the Chinese herbal medicine "Fangfeng Tongsheng San" in Japan. The side effects listed on the packaging include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and insomnia, as well as a potential serious side effect—interstitial pneumonia. At least two cases were reported in 2006.
The Department of Health stated that it will not add warning labels for now. Lin Yixin, Chairman of the Committee on Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, explained that Japan treats Chinese medicine similarly to Western medicine in terms of regulation. If there is no evidence to disprove a connection, warning labels are added. Additionally, Japanese Chinese medicine does not undergo processes like preparation, and their doctors do not adjust prescriptions based on symptom changes over time, unlike traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in Taiwan.
However, the Department of Health has allocated a budget this year to study the relationship between interstitial pneumonia and certain Chinese medicines, including Xiaochaihu Tang and Fangfeng Tongsheng San. Clinically, doctors, pharmacists, and the public are encouraged to report potential drug side effects through the Chinese medicine adverse reaction system. By collecting data through these dual approaches, it can be determined whether warning labels are necessary.
The patient, a 40-year-old housewife, had no underlying diseases, did not smoke, had no drug addiction, and no travel history in the past three months. She was hospitalized due to increasingly severe shortness of breath, dry cough, and persistent fever. On the second day of hospitalization, she experienced acute respiratory failure and was intubated and placed on a ventilator. Chest X-rays showed extensive lung infiltration, and a lung biopsy confirmed interstitial pneumonia.
Various tests conducted after hospitalization suggested that the patient's condition was likely drug-induced interstitial pneumonia. Upon detailed questioning, the patient, who is 163 cm tall and weighs 54 kg, admitted to taking Fangfeng Tongsheng San for weight loss ten days before hospitalization. After treatment with steroids, her symptoms significantly improved, and she was discharged two weeks later.
This case was published by the doctor in a thoracic medicine journal. In the paper's abstract, the doctor noted that an increasing number of drugs are known to cause interstitial pneumonia of varying severity, ranging from mild lung infiltration to life-threatening acute respiratory failure. The doctor recommended that for unexplained interstitial pneumonia, physicians should consider drug-induced interstitial pneumonia, including that caused by Chinese medicine.
Doctors believe it is related to constitution.
Wu Qingping, director of Penghu Hospital, pointed out that drug-induced interstitial pneumonia can be similar to an allergic reaction or caused by inflammation leading to lung fibrosis.
A thoracic physician noted that this issue is related to constitution, primarily a special allergic-like reaction to drugs. Regardless of whether taking Chinese or Western medicine, if problems arise, it is best to inform the doctor.
Source: http:/ / www. libertytimes. com. ……08/ new/ may/ 5/ today- life5. htm
[Reporter Hong Suqing / Taipei Report]
"Fangfeng Tongsheng Powder" is one of the most easily accessible traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) weight-loss prescriptions for the public, and some herbal capsules favored by netizens also contain this formula. However, TCM practitioners believe that this prescription is not suitable for everyone. Some even argue that it should not be used for long-term weight loss.
An anonymous TCM doctor pointed out that due to aggressive marketing of the weight-loss effects of this formula by some manufacturers online and on television, many people use it without a doctor's diagnosis. Some patients even directly request "Fangfeng Tongsheng Powder" during consultations, having heard that it "can attack fat cells and alter genetic constitution."
Yang Xianhong, director of the TCM department at Chang Gung Hospital, noted that Fangfeng Tongsheng Powder is an ancient prescription that was popular long ago. However, he personally strongly disapproves of using this formula for weight loss because it is "very cold" in nature. Not only might it cause persistent diarrhea, but long-term use by women could also lead to the cessation of menstruation.
Dr. Zhang Jiabei from the Traditional Medicine Department of Taipei Medical University stated that if used for weight control, it should be targeted at individuals who typically suffer from severe constipation and have relatively low urine output. Those who already experience frequent urination and are sensitive to cold might harm their bodies if they take it without proper guidance. For instance, someone recently experienced severe diarrhea and electrolyte imbalance after taking it.
Dr. Zou Weilun, a practicing physician, mentioned that this formula is usually combined with other medications and is primarily used for individuals with firm muscles and hard fat. However, it is rarely used alone for long-term treatment. "We do not recommend people to consume it jar after jar."
Yang Xianhong emphasized, "Some obesity issues are congenital, while others are acquired. Some are truly difficult to correct. In fact, whether it's Western or Chinese medicine, neither should be the first choice for weight loss. It's better to start with diet and exercise. Only if these methods are fully implemented and still fail to reduce excess fat should other approaches be considered."
**Prescription-Only Medication**
The Committee on Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy under the Department of Health stated that while Fangfeng Tongsheng Powder is effective for weight loss, its highly targeted nature and potential harm if misused have led to its classification as a prescription-only medication.
Lin Yixin, chairman of the Committee on Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, also stressed that even though some over-the-counter medications are approved by the Department of Health, just as Panadol should not be taken daily, Fangfeng Tongsheng Powder, which is used for "resolving both external and internal conditions," should not be casually purchased by the public for weight loss.
Source: http:/ / www. libertytimes. com. ……/ new/ may/ 5/ today- life5- 2. htm
Suspected Chinese Medicine Fangfeng Tongsheng Powder for Weight Loss Leads to Pneumonia
A woman nearly lost her life due to drug-induced pneumonia caused by taking traditional Chinese medicine for weight loss! Recently, a hospital received a case where a woman developed interstitial pneumonia and acute respiratory failure after self-administering the Chinese medicine "Fangfeng Tongsheng San" for weight loss. After emergency intubation and treatment with steroids and other medications, she was discharged safely.
Similar cases have occurred in Japan.
In fact, there are several brands of the Chinese herbal medicine "Fangfeng Tongsheng San" in Japan. The side effects listed on the packaging include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and insomnia, as well as a potential serious side effect—interstitial pneumonia. At least two cases were reported in 2006.
The Department of Health stated that it will not add warning labels for now. Lin Yixin, Chairman of the Committee on Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, explained that Japan treats Chinese medicine similarly to Western medicine in terms of regulation. If there is no evidence to disprove a connection, warning labels are added. Additionally, Japanese Chinese medicine does not undergo processes like preparation, and their doctors do not adjust prescriptions based on symptom changes over time, unlike traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in Taiwan.
However, the Department of Health has allocated a budget this year to study the relationship between interstitial pneumonia and certain Chinese medicines, including Xiaochaihu Tang and Fangfeng Tongsheng San. Clinically, doctors, pharmacists, and the public are encouraged to report potential drug side effects through the Chinese medicine adverse reaction system. By collecting data through these dual approaches, it can be determined whether warning labels are necessary.
The patient, a 40-year-old housewife, had no underlying diseases, did not smoke, had no drug addiction, and no travel history in the past three months. She was hospitalized due to increasingly severe shortness of breath, dry cough, and persistent fever. On the second day of hospitalization, she experienced acute respiratory failure and was intubated and placed on a ventilator. Chest X-rays showed extensive lung infiltration, and a lung biopsy confirmed interstitial pneumonia.
Various tests conducted after hospitalization suggested that the patient's condition was likely drug-induced interstitial pneumonia. Upon detailed questioning, the patient, who is 163 cm tall and weighs 54 kg, admitted to taking Fangfeng Tongsheng San for weight loss ten days before hospitalization. After treatment with steroids, her symptoms significantly improved, and she was discharged two weeks later.
This case was published by the doctor in a thoracic medicine journal. In the paper's abstract, the doctor noted that an increasing number of drugs are known to cause interstitial pneumonia of varying severity, ranging from mild lung infiltration to life-threatening acute respiratory failure. The doctor recommended that for unexplained interstitial pneumonia, physicians should consider drug-induced interstitial pneumonia, including that caused by Chinese medicine.
Doctors believe it is related to constitution.
Wu Qingping, director of Penghu Hospital, pointed out that drug-induced interstitial pneumonia can be similar to an allergic reaction or caused by inflammation leading to lung fibrosis.
A thoracic physician noted that this issue is related to constitution, primarily a special allergic-like reaction to drugs. Regardless of whether taking Chinese or Western medicine, if problems arise, it is best to inform the doctor.
Source: http:/ / www. libertytimes. com. ……08/ new/ may/ 5/ today- life5. htm
TCM Doctor Warns: Long-term Use May Cause Menopause
"Fangfeng Tongsheng Powder" is one of the most easily accessible traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) weight-loss prescriptions for the public, and some herbal capsules favored by netizens also contain this formula. However, TCM practitioners believe that this prescription is not suitable for everyone. Some even argue that it should not be used for long-term weight loss.
An anonymous TCM doctor pointed out that due to aggressive marketing of the weight-loss effects of this formula by some manufacturers online and on television, many people use it without a doctor's diagnosis. Some patients even directly request "Fangfeng Tongsheng Powder" during consultations, having heard that it "can attack fat cells and alter genetic constitution."
Yang Xianhong, director of the TCM department at Chang Gung Hospital, noted that Fangfeng Tongsheng Powder is an ancient prescription that was popular long ago. However, he personally strongly disapproves of using this formula for weight loss because it is "very cold" in nature. Not only might it cause persistent diarrhea, but long-term use by women could also lead to the cessation of menstruation.
Dr. Zhang Jiabei from the Traditional Medicine Department of Taipei Medical University stated that if used for weight control, it should be targeted at individuals who typically suffer from severe constipation and have relatively low urine output. Those who already experience frequent urination and are sensitive to cold might harm their bodies if they take it without proper guidance. For instance, someone recently experienced severe diarrhea and electrolyte imbalance after taking it.
Dr. Zou Weilun, a practicing physician, mentioned that this formula is usually combined with other medications and is primarily used for individuals with firm muscles and hard fat. However, it is rarely used alone for long-term treatment. "We do not recommend people to consume it jar after jar."
Yang Xianhong emphasized, "Some obesity issues are congenital, while others are acquired. Some are truly difficult to correct. In fact, whether it's Western or Chinese medicine, neither should be the first choice for weight loss. It's better to start with diet and exercise. Only if these methods are fully implemented and still fail to reduce excess fat should other approaches be considered."
**Prescription-Only Medication**
The Committee on Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy under the Department of Health stated that while Fangfeng Tongsheng Powder is effective for weight loss, its highly targeted nature and potential harm if misused have led to its classification as a prescription-only medication.
Lin Yixin, chairman of the Committee on Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, also stressed that even though some over-the-counter medications are approved by the Department of Health, just as Panadol should not be taken daily, Fangfeng Tongsheng Powder, which is used for "resolving both external and internal conditions," should not be casually purchased by the public for weight loss.
Source: http:/ / www. libertytimes. com. ……/ new/ may/ 5/ today- life5- 2. htm