is it really dangerous to take medicine not studied by the FDA?

Question

i bought a product from humaworm... its a parasite cleanse actually... below is something written like this: "2007 Humaworm, Inc. DISCLAIMER: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. " so,,, do you think it is dangerous to take the medicine? my mom is making such a big deal out of it...she's so worried it might be harmful. how rational is she about it? btw,, many people are recommending it online...they said it is successful though there are some side effects like headache...what do you think?

Answer 1

Its likely just as dangerous as taking a medication that is FDA approved. Every medication you take has risks and benefits - you need to be sure that the benefits from the medications outweigh the risks.

For example, medications used in chemotherapy are very toxic and dangerous - however, they kill the cancer cells as well, and thus the side effects of hair loss, energy loss, anemia and low white blood cell counts are tolerated for that end.

A medication used in stroke patients, tPA, which is the "clot busting" medication has the risk of causing bleeding in the brain which would likely cause death. Is this safer than some herbal medication you get at GNC - obviously not - but the potential benefit of the medication is restoring movement after being paralyzed by a stroke may outweigh the risks in the right patient.

The problem with medications not approved by the FDA, such as herbal supplements and nutritional supplements, is that they are not required to be regulated by the FDA. Consequently there is not as stringent a quality control as medications regulated by the FDA. There may be other impurities or fillers that have other unwanted side effects than the medication intended. Additionally, the amounts of the active ingredient may not be standardized - thus one dose may be more potent than another dose.

Also realize that just because a medication is approved by the FDA, don't think that it necessarily will remain that way and be safe. For example, take a look at Vioxx from the drug company Merck. It was safe enough to be approved by the FDA. However, once people in the general population took it for a longer period of time than in the test groups in the studies, it showed that there was a potential increased risk of heart attacks (whether this is the most conclusive study, I'm still not sure). Now Vioxx has been taken off the market.

So weigh the risks and benefits yourself as an educated consumer - are the potential side effects work the risk for the intended effect of the medication? And why are you taking a parasite cleanser anyway? Do you even know you have parasites? And if you do, you need to see a physician to get the proper testing and the proper prescription medication to take care of the parasite. Why would you listen to people who are not professionals recommending it?

Answer 2

Many herbal products have to use the disclaimer as they have no way to protect their product by licensing, copyright or patent...it is natural and therefore not protectable. To have any product evaluated and given a pass by FDA is very expensive...costing in the millions of dollars with extensive tests, definitive analysis, etc. Many worthwhile products can not be evaluated by the FDA as the company can not afford the evaluation, and then, they face other competition by companies using the product with nothing for the ones who paid for the evaluation. Angelica sinensis is an example of a herbal product that effectively works in fertility problems but none of the large drug companies will look at it, as it is a natural product. If you examine the labels of most herbal products, you will find the same disclaimer; however the product may be dangerous to individuals. A Chinese drug called Huang Ma was touted as both a diet aid and a metabolism booster has caused deaths. I suggest that you should not believe people online...remember chocolate diets...grapefruit diets...etc. If you are in normal good health, then nothing is needed. If however there is a problem, then consult a physician for diagnosis and correct remedy. Your life is too precious to waste and trying sensational drugs is very risky...let others do it to their own risk for immediate or long term problems. Remember too, that an unevaluated drug may have lasting effects as did the drug Thalidomide that cause birth defects.

Answer 3

I am more worried about the drugs the FDA DOES approve. Its the same FDA that says its ok for us to eat toxic foods, artificial flavors, dyes made from beatles, synthetic pestices, etc. Most of the meds approved by the FDA are highly toxic, causing side effects that are worse than the illness they are meant to treat! My daughter had a nasty cough a few years ago, and her doc perscribed a medicine (FDA approved) that stated side effects may include: cough, nausea, vomiting, pneumonia, etc. I didn't give it to her. We got some elderberry syrup at the healthfood store (not FDA approved) and the cough cleared right up. I think you will fine with your purchase. I no longer use meds approved by the FDA (food and DEATH admin, should be) I buy all treatments at health food store.

Answer 4

that's a cleanse i will inform you that. It has laxatives in it so it will make you utilize the showering room a lot. i'm uncertain if taking all of those aspects jointly is risky or no longer however. one element however is it shouldn't do something to truly cleanse you from now on than taking an over-the-counter laxative will. in case you extremely need to absorb case you are able to attempt it yet greater powerful stay on the part of the showering room as quickly as the laxatives kick in and don't assume it to do a lot greater effective than make you utilize the showering room a lot.

Answer 5

.Medicine from doctor I be very worried about Drugs can kill.Parasite cleanse usually safe but follow directions .On the bottle it says stop if you have certain problems(cramping,nausea,vomiting)woodworm can be toxic .Study all the ingredients.May I suggest primal defense probiotic By Garden of life with in 3 to 4 months it will clean anything that dont belong in your GI tract.Not toxic.You must know what you are taking.p.s mahuang was miss used people did not follow directions they overdosed .Ive taken a parasite clease it can be harsh.

Answer 6

dont take it if you have any bad feelings about it. You should totally listen to your mom!!