Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Saudi Ministry of health warns against drug that causes Cardiac arrest | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Jeddah, Asharq Al Awsat-The Saudi ministry of health has warned citizens against using a medicine called ”Xenadrine Carbo Curb”, notifying them that it may lead to sudden cardiac arrest.

Pharmacist Aisha Mohamed asserted that there have been investigations into the source of this medicine, which is used for weight control and as an energy supplement for athletes, but has not been tested until now.

The Health Awareness Information Center in association with the general authority for media and health awareness in the ministry of health, has received numerous calls enquiring about the new medication.

Pharmacist Aisha Mohamed said, &#34The medicine has been referred to the American Food and Drugs Association, FDA, which confirmed that the medicine is made up of ephedrine and caffeine compounds which may have hazardous side effects such as sudden cardiac arrest or palpitation in the heart muscle especially for people who use it without any medical consultation.&#34

This is mainly because there is a high risk of suffering from the negative side effects for those who are not under clinical supervision rather than those who are. Dr. Aisha mentioned that conducted studies and FDA figures have revealed the fatal effects of this drug, reporting that there have been three deaths, two cases of palpitation of the heart muscle, one case of sudden cardiac arrest, a case of an epileptic seizure and three cases of psychological disorder following the intake of the ephedrine compound.

She further elaborated, &#34The FDA had issued a warning against the usage of Xenadrine Carbo Curb last October prohibiting the use of this drug because of the lack of certified medical information about it.&#34