Many over-the-counter products contain this herb.

CONCERNS WITH INGREDIENT

A herbal ingredient commonly found in over 80 cold and flu supplements has been linked to life-threatening allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, according to recent findings from Australian medicines regulators.

The herb, Andrographis Paniculata, is widely found in over-the-counter “immune support” and cold and flu remedies sold in pharmacies, supermarkets, and health food stores.

It is often marketed as a ‘natural option’ to help reduce the severity or duration of cold and flu symptoms, and is frequently included in combination products alongside other vitamins.

Some common over-the-counter supplements that containthe ingredient include:

ArmaForce BioCeuticals
Nature’s Sunshine Andrographis 60 Capsules,
Fusion Health ViraForce 30 Capsules
Australian NaturalCare Echinacea 2000 Plus Andrographis 60 Tablets
Nature’s Way Andrographis Standardized 60 Capsules
NOW Foods Andrographis Extract
Swisse Nutra+ Andro Max

However, a safety review conducted by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has raised concerns about its potential to cause severe and unpredictable allergic reactions.

The regulator has identified hundreds of reports of anaphylaxis potentially associated with products containing Andrographis, including at least one reported fatal case.

Anaphylaxis is a rapid-onset, potentially fatal allergic reaction that can cause breathing difficulties, swelling of the throat, a drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness.

It requires immediate emergency treatment with adrenaline.

The TGA has now concluded that the existing risk controls associated with the ingredient – such as mandatory warning labels – may not be sufficient to prevent harm.

The herb is classified in Australia as a “listed” or “low-risk medicine” ingredient, a category that allows it to be included in many over-the-counter complementary medicines without the same level of pre-market evaluation required for prescription drugs.

The updated safety review has prompted discussions about whether Andrographis should continue to be permitted in listed medicines at all, or whether restrictions are necessary.

The findings are particularly relevant given the popularity of ‘immune-boosting supplements’ in Australia and other countries, especially during winter months.

Health authorities stress that “natural” does not necessarily mean risk-free.

Many plant-derived substances can trigger allergic reactions, and Andrographis appears to be one of the more significant examples in the complementary medicine space.

The review has prompted renewed calls for consumers to carefully check ingredient lists on over-the-counter supplements and to be aware of potential risks, particularly when using multi-ingredient products marketed for ‘immune or respiratory support’.

Andrographis is often not highlighted prominently on packaging, appearing instead within small-print ingredient lists. Pharmacists and healthcare professionals have also been reminded to advise patients about potential allergic risks associated with these medicines.

While the TGA has not recommended an outright ban at this stage, it has indicated that further regulatory action is under consideration. Options may include stronger warnings, tighter controls on availability, reformulation of products, or reclassification.

The review serves as a reminder, yet again, of the dangers of blindly trusting the advertising machine of Big Pharma with your health and wellbeing.

No matter the product, these companies would not survive if everyone suddenly was cured of their ailments – and they will put you in harms way to keep you as a consumer.

‘SAFE AND EFFECTIVE’

Just a few days ago here on the website, we discussed how the fish oil supplement scam was finally being exposed for the harms it is doing to perfectly healthy adults.

Fish oil supplements under scrutiny as new research questions heart benefits
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It honestly feels like I am constantly talking about the harms of Big Pharma and the medical industry, which stands as one of the pivotal Phantoms of Reality.

Ironically, I am able to repeat myself in multiple articles without using the same examples twice – highlighting just how many stories there are exposing the topic on TOTT News.

The theme remains the same though: Doctors and their products are causing harm.

Last year, it was revealed that Vyvanse, the most commonly prescribed ADHD medication in Australia, was being investigated by the TGA for a spike in adverse events.

TGA investigating spike in adverse events from popular ADHD medication
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How do these products continue to end up on our shelves?

Corruption and deception. Pharmaceutical giants have admitted the routinely break consumer laws by misleading shoppers in regard to their products.

Drugmakers ‘misled consumers’, rules Federal Court
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The researchers behind the products are also part of the giant scam.

One study found that medical researchers collected over $11 million in payments from drug companies in one year alone, in many cases, payments are not declared.

“Widespread”: Australian medical researchers fail to declare conflicts of interest
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Pharmaceutical companies have promoted products that were often neither safe, nor effective, causing significant harm on patients and consumers.

Regulators are also not out of the picture, either.

Failures made by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and TGA in approving and labelling new products, including deceptive safety studies, allowed for this to happen.

Opioid Crisis: How FDA Regulation Failures Allowed it to Happen
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Just this week, it was revealed the agency halted or delayed publication of several internal studies examining the safety of COVID-19 and shingles vaccines.

FDA under fire after blocking publication of COVID vaccine safety studies
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With all of this deception, who in their rights minds would ever trust any product promoted by a doctor, pharmacist, or chemist? Why would you put your health in their hands?

These people profit off you being sick, plain and simple.

Speaking of profit, the ten largest pharma companies by revenue brought in a collective $734.82 billion in revenue across the 2021 financial year alone.

Ten biggest pharma companies raked in over $700 billion in 2021
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It is big money business, the pharmaceutical industry – and the consumers are the driving force behind it. Fooled by propaganda and an ‘expert’ complex of ignorance.

It seems like there will be continued stories of products being recalled and investigated for the harms they are causing on people, so no doubt, we will be discussing this again.

As mentioned, every story highlighted was unique in comparison to those covered even just a few days ago in relation to fish oil supplements. There are so many examples to draw from.

I never use tablets or pills when I have a cold. The old fashioned ways of honey, lemon juice and water, garlic, etc will always reign supreme over the synthetic concoctions.

The drug dealers don’t care about you, folks. They never have.

Stay far away from them and their deceptive products, or end up a statistic.