FDA ALERT
The FDA issued an alert on "Liqiang 4," a dietary supplement containing the oral hypoglycemic drug glyburide. The use of the supplement could cause life-threatening side effects related to undue lowering of blood sugar (hypoglycemia) manifesting as fatigue, weakness, excessive hunger, profuse sweating.

Glyburide is an FDA approved prescription drug use in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Liqiang 4 is sold as "Liqiang 4 Dietary Supplement Capsules, " described as containing only natural ingredients. It is sold in US herbal supplement stores and by mail order.

Consumers are drawn by the "Natural" labeling unaware of active ingredients that can cause side-effects. Another mislabled was a dietary supplement promoted as "100%" natural for use in erectile dysfunction that actually contained prescription strength amounts of sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra.

Reporting of Adverse Eventsw
Consumers can report adverse events to MedWatch, the FDA's voluntary adverse event reporting program, at 800-FDA-1088 (phone); 800-FDA-0178 (fax); or by mail, to MedWatch, Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Md. 20857-9787. Reports can also be made onlne, at www.fda-gov/medwatch/report.htm)