2 Companies Recall Herbal Products Containing Drug That Cuts Blood Sugar

Two herbal preparations found to contain a drug that lowers blood sugar have been recalled by two California firms, the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.

The recalled products are Dianolyn capsules, made by Diabetic Capital of Alhambra, and Dimelstat, manufactured by SciQuest Lab of Brea. Both are said to contain “dangerously high” amounts of glyburide, a drug used to lower blood sugar.

SciQuest and Diabetic Capital announced the recalls in statements released by the FDA. The announcements are on company letterheads, but they have virtually identical wording and were based on a model drawn up by the FDA, according to agency spokesman Brad Stone.

“People who have low blood sugar or those with diabetes run the risk of serious or life-threatening complications if they consume these products,” the announcements said.

The statements urged consumers to stop using Dianolyn capsules and Dimelstat and to seek medical advice, “especially if they are currently being treated with other anti-diabetic drugs or if they have symptoms of fatigue, excessive hunger, profuse sweating or numbness of extremities.”

Diabetic Capital said it was recalling all Dianolyn capsules distributed before Wednesday. It said the product is sold nationally and promoted in Chinese-language radio commercials and newspapers.

Dianolyn capsules are light brown and packed in blister packs, with 30 capsules per box. The boxes are printed with pictures of a man with green leaves in the background. The label says the product contains only natural herbal ingredients.

Dimelstat capsules are packaged in white bottles. Each capsule contains a brown powder and they are sold 60 to the bottle. The product lot number is 0915, the company said. SciQuest sells the product by mail order and through specialty herb stores.

Both companies said consumers can receive refunds if the products are returned to the places of purchase. And both said no illnesses caused by the products have been reported.

The recall action was taken just two months after the FDA issued a warning about five other herbal products that contained drugs that lower blood sugar.

California investigators found that those five products contained either glyburide or another drug that lowers blood sugar, even though makers of the products said they contained only natural Chinese herbs.