Supplement Warning - Connie

[Guest guest]

Dear Group,

I apologize for copying a whole article from the FDA's web site and posting it

here. Even though I have never heard of this product, it sounds like the type

of thing that someone with rls might consider trying since it is recommended

for insomnia and " restlessness "

FDA WARNS CONSUMERS AGAINST TAKING DIETARY SUPPLEMENT " SLEEPING BUDDHA "

The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to purchase or

consume a product known as Sleeping Buddha. The product, which is being

marketed as a dietary supplement, contains an unlabeled prescription drug

ingredient that poses possible health risks. The product also has not been

submitted to FDA for review or approval for any of the uses for which it is

being sold.

Sleeping Buddha is marketed in capsule form as a product of China and labeled

as imported and distributed by Treasure Box Products Inc. of Burnaby, B.C.,

Canada. The product is being promoted for insomnia and restlessness and is

sold as an herbal alternative to prescription sedatives.

FDA has determined that the product actually contains the prescription-

strength drug ingredient, estazolam, which is a sedative of the benzodiazepine

family. Estazolam is known to have serious side effects, including the

potential to cause fetal damage if a pregnant woman consumes the drug.

Also, because this product is a sedative, it poses a special risk to consumers

who take the drug while driving, while operating heavy machinery, or while

taking other sedative drugs or alcohol.

FDA has not received any reports of injury or adverse reactions from this

product. However, all consumers, and especially pregnant women, should be

aware of the risks associated with this product.

[Guest guest]

Connie,

Thanks for your warning about the product Sleeping Budddah. Here in Wash.

about 2 months ago there was a big article and announcement in the news paper

about this product and most of the pharmacies pulled it from thier shelves.

There are probably some health food stores that still stock it, and before I

heard the warning I was going to try it myself (anything to sleep). The next

night they were going to run an article on the other products that are out

there that no doubt some of us take that have rx meds/drugs or other

ingredients in them that are not approved by the FDA, but I missed it. I

think they are supposed to list all the things that are in the bottle of pills

or for that matter anything we take on the bottle itself, but I guess they

always don't do that.

Thanks again for the waring!!!

Lee