Update 3/9/24. If you have not heard of Zi Xiu Tang Bee Pollen capsules (also called Zi Xiu Tang Beauty Face and Figure Capsules), this is a natural weight loss supplement where some websites actually encourage people to eat what they want! Even the educational pamphlet that accompanies Zi Xiu Tang Bee Pollen say: “No Diet Restrictions” and that people can achieve “excellent results” even while eating “high fat and high-calorie foods”. The power of Zi Xiu Tang is said to be due to bee pollen and the other ingredients in the supplement. But, things are more complicated than that. This is the second review I've written about the Zi Xiu Tang Bee Pollen. For more insights on the ingredients, see the original review of Zi Xiu Tang bee pollen. Also, read almost 1000 comments on this review and hundreds of comments on the other Zi Xiu Tang Reviews.
Read The Updates First
I posted these updates above the rest of the content so you would see them first. As you will see below, I originally felt Zi Xiu Tang was a laxative, that still did not fully explain the crazy amounts of weight people were experiencing with this product. I wondered if there might be something else behind these effects.
Unfortunately, the FDA proved my suspicions correct when they found a drug called sibutramine (also known as Meridia) in Zi Xiu Tang -as well as other bee pollen weight loss supplements. Sibutramine has been linked to heart attacks and strokes, so it was banned in the US many years ago.
Update 4/8/14. The FDA warns people to immediately stop taking Zi Xiu Tang Bee Pollen's weight loss supplements. It tested several Zi Xiu Tang products – including those that were said to be “genuine” and not counterfeit. The FDA found that some products contained not only sibutramine, an illegal weight loss drug but some also contained Phenolphthalein, a chemical that may increase the risk of cancer. See the FDA alert for more information.
Update. 10/24/12. The FDA has alerted the public that Zi Xiu Tang contains the illegal weight loss drug called sibutramine. They advise people to not take Zi Xiu tang. Click the link to see the FDA Public Notification on Zi Xiu Tang. It took the FDA 2 years to prove what I knew from the first day I reviewed Zi Xiu Tang. There was no way this stuff worked the way it did – if it only had the ingredients listed…
Update 6/26/12. I have written a review of ZXT Gold
Update 7/25/12. : ZXT Gold has been found to contain 2 drugs, see the ZXT Gold review for more information.
6/18/13 Update. Here is the review of Slim Trim U for more information.
At first, I could not explain the weight loss people were seeing with this supplement. One person who commented on my first Zi Xiu Tang review said he lost 13 pounds in 1 month!
Now I know why…
How Does Zi Xiu Tang Work?
Thanks to a friend who sent me a bottle of these so-called slimming capsules I can tell you that bee pollen is NOT the active ingredient in Zi Xiu Tang.
If Zi Xiu Tang works, it's because it's a laxative!
I know this is true because several of the ingredients in Zi Xiu Tang have laxative effects. I suspected this because many websites selling Zi Xiu Tang use the word “cleanse.” Cleanse is the alternative medicine term for laxatives.
Probably, the most famous ingredient in Zi Xiu Tang is senna. Senna is not a weight loss supplement; it is a laxative. The FDA also classified it as a non-prescription, over-the-counter laxative drug.
Several other ingredients as you will see also act as laxatives.
The problem with laxatives is the only weight they help us expel feces (poop) and water.
What Does Zi Xiu Tang Mean?
The supplement's name doesn't seem to refer to anything specific. When translated from traditional Chinese to English, the name means “self-show soup.” However, when translated from Literary Chinese, the word means “be.” Could this be a reference to bee pollen, the alleged key ingredient?
Zi Xiu Tang Ingredients Label
Even if you wear eyeglasses, you will find it very difficult to read the ingredients in Zi Xiu Tang. The bottle and box abound with decorative Chinese art and characters, making reading the ingredients very difficult.
The red lettering of the ingredients makes it doubly hard to read. I had trouble even when I held the bottle up to a lamp! So, to save you the trouble, I've listed the ingredients here.
Zi Xiu Tang Full Ingredients List
Here is the entire list of ingredients in Zi Xiu Tang.
- Bee Pollen
- Chinese Yam
- Barbary Wolfberry Fruit
- Lotus Seed
- Dietary Fiber
- Green tea
- Rhubarb
- Aloe
- Cassia
- Astrigillis
- Polygonum multiflorum
- Lotus leaf
- Gynostemme
- Radish seed
- Malt
- Mulberry
- Hawthorn,
- “Vitamins”
Tthe first 4 ingredients are not weight loss herbs. I've already covered these ingredients in my first Zi Xiu Tang review. Let’s now talk about all the other ingredients.
Zi Xiu Tang Ingredients and Side Effects
Senna. Senna is a laxative. Because Zi Xiu Tang contains senna, it’s possible that the same side effects from using too much senna may be seen in those who take Zi Xiu Tang. The side effects can include,
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramping gas/bloating
- Flatulence
- Dizziness
Because of diarrhea, products like Zi Xiu Tang that contain senna may in extreme cases cause excessive loss of electrolytes. This can lead to muscle weakness and maybe heart problems. This is because electrolytes are needed for muscle contraction and the heart is a muscle.
People using heart/blood pressure medications should not use senna-containing supplements or products that have similar laxative effects.
To highlight what can happen with senna overdose, there is a case report of a woman who developed liver failure after long-term use of senna tea.
In this report, the woman was drinking a liter of senna tea that contained 70 grams (2.5 oz) of senna fruit. Even with this amount, it took 3 years before liver failure presented itself. This is worth mentioning because everybody is different, and people often think “more is better,” which isn’t always true.
Unlike the laxative effect of fiber, senna is a non-fiber laxative. It works differently to relieve constipation. One of the ingredients in Senna is a class of compounds called anthranoids, which exert laxative effects by damaging the cells of the colon. Because of this, some have speculated that long-term use of senna, may increase the risk of cancer
Because senna supplements have not been studied for long-term use, it is hard to say if this is true or not.
Senna products should be avoided in people who have
- Hemorrhoids
- Heart disease / Blood pressure issues
- Abdominal pain
- Bowel obstructions
- Pregnant or nursing mothers (for obvious reasons)
- Diabetics
In theory, long-term use of senna supplements may make it harder to defecate as the person becomes dependent on the product.
People who take Zi Xiu Tang may notice that the color of their urine looks pink or rust-colored. This is probably due to the senna (and polygonum multiflorum, discussed below) and is not dangerous.
Update: In 2010 Senna was apparently removed from Zi Xiu Tang. Some people report that their bowel movements are less while others report no change. See the comments for more information.
Cassia. Zi Xiu Tang also contains Cassia. While the word cassia is sometimes used to describe the spice, cinnamon, I don’t think this is how they are using the word because cassia can also be another name for senna.
Both of cassia and senna are listed separately on the Zi Xiu Tang label; cassia appears first, followed by senna. Both words are sometimes used together (“cassia senna”). Other names for cassia senna are Cassia acutifola, and Cassia angustifolia.
If cassia on the Zi Xiu Tang label refers to cassia senna, then this, too, is a laxative and likely works synergistically with senna to promote a greater laxative effect.
Green Tea. Zi Xiu Tang also contains green tea. Because green tea contains caffeine, it’s theoretically possible that the caffeine may slightly raise metabolism. This is likely why the Zi Xiu Tang says “increase metabolism” and “increase energy” on the front of the display box. The box does not say how much caffeine is in Zi Xiu Tang.
Rhubarb. Zi Xiu Tang contains Rhubarb which also has laxative effects. It may also have estrogen-like effects. Rhubarb may act synergistically with senna and cassia to cause a greater laxative effect.
Aloe. Zi Xiu Tang contains aloe as well. Aloe juice also has a laxative effect however the bottle does not say if Zi Xiu Tang contains aloe juice or not.
Astragalus. Like all herbs, there are many types of Astragalus. Often used to treat the common cold, this herb does not seem to have any laxative effect. As for astragalus side effects, in large amounts (about 1 ounce, which is likely more than is in Zi Xiu Tang) this herb may increase the immune system which, while good for some can also be bad for others like those with some immune system disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Polygonum multiflorum. This is an herb also known as Fo-Ti and Ho Shu Wu. Some research notes Polygonum multiflorum has a mild laxative effect. At least 7 case reports have noted liver problems including hepatitis resulting from use/misuse of this herb.
Other reports hint that Polygonum multiflorum might alter blood sugar levels (that may be bad for diabetics).
On a side note, Polygonum multiflorum may also be found in supplements designed to lower cholesterol; research suggests that extracts may lower cholesterol and increase HDL. More research is needed to confirm this.
Gynostemma. Some websites say this herb can both cause both weight loss and weight gain. In this respect, Gynostemma might be classified as an adaptogen. An adaptogen is a non-medical term used in some circles to describe how a supplement “adapts” to your needs. Websites also claim that gynostemma has laxative effects.
Radish Seed. I could not locate any weight loss effects of this ingredient.
Malt: I could not locate any weight loss effects of this ingredient.
Mulberry. This contains fiber which acts as a laxative.
Hawthorn. People who take medications for high blood pressure or a heart condition should not use hawthorn or supplements containing Hawthorn. Hawthorn does influence the way the heart pumps. This means hawthorn can interact with your heart or blood pressure medications.
Vitamins. Zi Xiu Tang lists “vitamins” but does not indicate which vitamins it contains.
Ingredients that are Laxatives
To recap, here are the ingredients in Zi Xiu Tang that are laxatives
- Senna
- Cassia
- Rhubarb
- Aloe (if it contains Aloe juice)
- Polygonum multiflorum
- Gynostemma
- Mulberry
For more info see my review of Zi Xiu Tang Side Effects
Who makes Zi Xiu Tang?
The company that makes zi xiu tang is said to be the Guangzhou Zixiutang Biotechnology located in China. The strange thing is that I've never been able to find a picture of what this company looks like. Google searches turn up no pictures of the company. Even the website for the company – cn-zixiutang.com – does not show a picture of the company (the website no longer exists).
For more info on the company, see my review of the bee pollen weight loss supplement Slim Trim U.
Zi Xiu Tang Warning Label
If you read the label of Zi Xiu Tang you see this warning of who should not use the product (I'm quoting them verbatim):
“Not Suitable For:
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. People who suffer from either liver, kidney, Heart Disease, or High Blood Pressure. Adolescents, Elderly, Depressed people, or Anyone with bee or pollen allergies.”
Does Zi Xiu Tang Work?
There is little clinical evidence of weight loss effects for most of the ingredients in Zi Xiu Tang. If it really works, it may be due to laxative effects. Some websites that sell Zi Xiu Tang say the product does not contain sibutramine (weight loss drug), or other drugs like Rimonabant (weight loss drug), Phenytoin (anti-seizure drug) or Phenolphthalein (has laxative effects). This is perhaps a response to previous FDA action against bee pollen-containing weight loss supplements. Does it work as well without pharmaceutical enhancement? You tell me.
I think you work for the FDA . But if I’m wrong,
Do you know where I can find the original zi xui tang because I don’t care what FDA thinks,
That pill changed me and my mom’s life until they banned it.
Hi Laila, I assure you I don’t work for the FDA or any dietary supplement company.
I don’t know if they still sell zi xiu tang. I did a search for “buy xi ziu tang” and didn’t see anything.
I’m curious, what makes you want to try it in spite of all of the negative talk about it?
Joe,
Here is what he got:
http://www.prostatecancer.ca/Prostate-Cancer/Treatment/High-Intensity-Focused-Ultrasound-(HIFU)
Sarah, thanks for the link. I’ve never heard of using ultra sound for prostate cancer treatment. I appreciate learning about this.
Joe, I did not know that the govt had a patent on the disease but honestly it would not surprise me. I was just questioning previous comment. And I will definitely get the info inntbe hospital tomorrow from him. I’d love for you to look into It!
Sarah, I’ve searched and I cant find a patent on cancer by the US government or anybody else.
Cancer is patented by the gov? Of course it is!!! Lmao!!! Why do you think there is no cure? Did you know other countries have cures? That’s right. They do! My ex boss was diagnosed with prostrate cancer. His wife took it upon herself to research treatments and cures. They had to pay 25k out of pocket expense but they flew him to Canada where a team of 5 doctors from all over the world INCLUDING the USA performed a high intensity frequency radiation . He walked in with cancer that day and walked out without it. He s still cancer free to this day 12 years later. Figure that one out. Thank God a 3rd party insurance company met with him after the treatment, wrote a letter to BCBS and said look….ths is what it would’ve cost you to treat this
Xxx dollars, he paid 25k out of his pocket saving you THOUSANDS of dollars, and wouldn’t ya know that BCBS reimbursed him for 1/2 of the treatment?!
Sarah, can you show me the US patent for cancer? As for your boss and cancer, I cant figure it out because I have no proof for it? Can you tell the name of the hospial in Canada he went to and what was the name of the “high intensity frequency radiation” he received? If I knew these, I could look into it.
More than anything I’d like to see the US Patent on the disease, Cancer because as Ive said, this is news to me.
Joe,
Can you report on how many deaths so soy tang was responsible for? None? 1? Just because the few says it was dangerous, was it really?
Like everyone is saying…it helped tremendously and the FDA are a bunch of pricks. Just sayin. If the shot worked in small doses without killing anyone then why not put it back in small dosages. Whether it’s in so soy tang or in a pill itself?
Wanna know why? Cause the FDA wants people overweight and unhealthy so their premiums skyrocket and they use their damn insurance, that’s why.
Hi Sarah, great question. In this article titled Obesity drug sibutramine (Meridia): hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias published in 2002 the following sibutramine-related deaths and health problems were summarized:
Italy reported 2 deaths and 50 adverse events
UK : 2 deaths and 415 adverse events
France:99 adverse events (no deaths)
Canada reported 29 adverse events (no deaths)
In the US the FDA was informed of 29 deaths and of 397 adverse events. 19 of the deaths were due to cardiovascular problems and of those 10 occurred in people younger than 50 years of age (its statistically unlikely for people under 50 to die from heart problems). 3 of those 19 deaths were in women younger than 30 years of age (again heart related deaths are very unlikely in that age group).
I like a good conspiracy story as much as the next person and I have no doubt there is money to be made in keeping people confused about what is healthy, but these are undeniable facts.
Why isn’t anybody mad at the company (the so called biotechnology company) that never told people this drug was added to Zi Xiu Tang?
Exactly! Yellow 5 is a horrible chemical that the FDA approves to have in several food products. Meanwhile it’s banned in other countries. Certain vitamin situations that help fight diseases are also banned in US. Quite frankly, the FDA is full of crappie and make billions off of keeping us sick. Cancer is patented by them btw. Why is a disease patented like it’s a business??
Hi Sheree, I cant find a US Patent for cancer. Where did you see this? Have you actually seen the US patent? can you show the link here? If this is true, it’s news to me and I’d really like to take a look at it.
Tops slimming store
Hi Chyina, I’ve never heard of Tops Slimming Store. I never thought that the ingredients in product caused weight loss and the FDA later proved me correct. Personally, I would not take the product. I would return it to where you got it from.
Here is a list of things that have some evidence that they might work:
http://www.joe-cannon.com/what-weight-loss-supplements-work/
let me know if I can help further.
If they don’t have red Chinese symbols on them then there fake. I use to take them and my last batch was fake ….wish I could find the real ones they really work.
Hi Ashley, you do realize the active ingredient was a weight loss drug, yes?
i agree! I wish I could find them too! Ive been looking forever!
Megan, I’ll just keep repeating myself. Zi Ziu Tang worked BECAUSE it contained an illegal and dangerous weight loss drug.
That’s why it didn’t work anymore when they “changed the formula.” they likely removed the drug.
Question for everyone here: Is the desire for weight loss greater than the desire to live?
Most drugs on the market have side effects. People die or have various medical complications on a daily basis from FDA approved medications. I wish I can find the real pills. I loss 40 pound on those pills a few years ago, in about 2 months. I would definitely purchase them again, if I could get my hands on the ones that actually work. If anyone know where I can find the ones that work, please let me know.
Sarah, yes drugs do have side effects. The issue I think we are missing is that drugs are not allowed to be added to dietary supplements. That is just what the FDA found with this product. That’s why it worked. It wasn’t even listed. Don’t you want to know what you put in your body?
Here’s the report stating it had sibutramine, weight loss drug linked to heart attacks/strokes
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/buyingusingmedicinesafely/medicationhealthfraud/ucm325537.htm
And here is a 2016 report from the FDA that Zi Xiu Tang Face and Figure capsules contained a drug linked to cancer and an anti-depressant medication
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/buyingusingmedicinesafely/medicationhealthfraud/ucm513920.htm
My pills have no wrtting on them are they fake
Chyina, Where did you get them from?
Pretty sure those aren’t even available this day in age
For anyone interested in this product, just order the “good”, “safe” ingredients online that have been proven effective.
If you’re interested in the illegal ingredients that can’t be sold in the U.S., try Mexico, at your own risk.
The FDA warnings say there was a 16% increase in risk of heart attack, stroke, etc., for only a minimal benefit in weight loss between those who took sibutramine over those who were taking a placebo.
It doesn’t seem like it would be worth the risk to take sibutramine, given that an overweight person is already at risk of heart attack and stroke, and taking it would be compounding the risk.
Just came across this. So does the capsule called “Classic” being made and sold anymore ??, Where??? I took 2 times. Has lots of good ingredients.
Deb, good ingredients? What ingredients would they be? Did you read what the FDA found in it?
But I had taken this supplement and I suffered no I’ll effects what so ever and it does work —-you do loose weight. Knowing now that subutrine is in there. I would still choose to take it for I believe that the risk is minimal and no greater then the risk you take when you take the majority of prescription pills out there People are given the right to choose if they want to take a pharmaceutical drug that has dangerous side effects—-so why should a different rule apply to non pharmaceutical alternatives ?
People should have the right to know what’s in either be made aware there is a substance that MAY have the potential to harm you and then have the ultimate right to choose to take it or not. This holds true for all alternative protocals—–There is risk involved with any protocal—–herbal remedies by mother nature have existed for centuries. Just because you can own the medical establishment doesn’t mean its the BEST medicine available !!!! It just means they are in control and can say what is acceptable and what isn’t !!!! And if those people are corrupt then what ????
So as I said. WE THE PEOPLE should be able to CHOOSE who they believe in !!!! That is essential. And this is not talking about conspiracy theories. This is talking about Truth ! And Freedom. Which I think is obviously important to us all. Hypocrisy and double standards cannot be accepted as OK !
Donna, I do believe in freedom but I also feel we should take steps to protect people from hurting themselves especially from products that do not tell us their full ingredients. I think we are going to have to agree to disagree on this.
Joe. Who knows on here if you really do or don’t have ties to any any of them as I mentioned. And I’m glad you can actually see my point about pharmaceutical commercials. Probably the only thing I can agree with you on is that we have the right to know that that substance is in there– that they should not have hidden it.
However I can understand why they had to hide it if it was seemed illegal. Same way WE THE PEOPLE have THE RIGHT TO KNOW when VERY HARMFUL GMO products Are in the food we are eating—-and THEY feel they should NOT have to label it as such !!!!!! same principal applies.
Bottom line is we should always have the right to know. However having said all that —- I guess my problem is with the body that is IN CHARGE of deeming what is allowed to be sold and what isn’t as I personally do wholeheartedly believe that body is corrupt. They may be in charge but that does not mean they are correct or have the best intentions for the people truly in mind at all times in their decision making.
As you have to know what I’m saying is 100% true that almost every pharmaceutical drug on the market today HAS the very SAME harmful side effects that they are banning this supplement for!!!!
So tell me why it is OK for them to peddle their crap with the same and WAY WORSE even side effects and that’s OK ???? But yet this one that happens to have a lot of also very beneficial substances in it as well is singled out and demonized !!?????? WHY?
You keep tip toeing around my good points that you know I have!!!! You keep coming back saying the same things but not answering my questions !!! I’m asking you why its OK for drugs that have the potential to cause strokes etc the VERY SAME thing you are downing this product for—-_–but yet that’s OK.
Yet this one INPARTICULAR is dangerous——-but yet the hundreds of pharmaceutical drugs with the very same potential for harm are OK just because the FDA says they are OK…..and you do not see the hypocrisy here and the double standard ????? And you don’t see the sheer evilness of the whole system here ????
Bottom line for me is all ingredients should be listed so people know what’s in them. Then from there people should be able to make their own decision as to take them or not. The problem for me is I see more evil in the established systems we have in place—they have motives and agendas for profits just as say the little shister guy trying to make profits Greed unfortunately is everywhere.
Donna, the side effects you see on drugs are statistical side effects that can happen. they are backed up by studies and they have to tell us this by law. I’m glad they tell us this information. I’m all for knowing information including foods that have GMO stuff in them too. We should have regulations in place to tell us about GMO foods and side effects of drugs and we should also have regulations in Place to help ensure supplements don’t contain anything other than what they say they do. We cant have it both ways. we are both in favor of regulations. While it sounds like an oxymoron, regulations can give us freedom to choose sometimes.
Its absolutely possible ! And you still cannot deny the points I made above! If the issue is US being safe then those same side effects they are claiming subutrine has is common of just about every prescription drug out there!
Donna, I can absolutely deny your logic and points and here’s why:
1. Studies showed sibutramine was not safe. You can’t buy it in the US legally.
2. You were never told Ziu tang had sibutramine. You would never have known unless the FDA and Health Canada told you.
I don’t like the way side effects are portrayed in drug TV commercials – I’m with you on that – they are slick and tap dance around the side effects while showing happy/pretty people and playing soothing music. I don’t like stuff that anymore than you do. But that is a totally different issue than with zi xiu tang.
For the record I have no connection to pharmaceutical companies or the FDA or any government agency. The same cannot be said for others online.
Bottom line is the FDA gets to do whatever it wants when the majority of the time the products they pass thru and allow people to buy again have absolutely NO nutricianal side benefit as this one does and it works. Just listen to the happy sing songy way drug commercials reading thru ALL the many HORRIBLE SIDE EFFECTS- they have—-they make it sound so upbeat and typical that its really no big deal–strokes. Heart attacks, sudden death. WHY are they allowed to peddle THEIR crap which as I said IS WAY WORSE !!!!!???? But they are going to demonize this one !!!! Because they don’t have a hand on the profits!! And that’s THE ONLY REASON. !!!! Stop being a hypicrit !!!!! Its obvious WHO YOU WORK FOR in this site !!!!! Bottom line WE The People SHOULD have the right to MAKE OUR OWN DECISIONS !!!! That includes WHO WE CHOOSE TO BELIEVE IN !
Donna, do you really think I work for the FDA or some pharmaceutical company? Really?
What a joke this all is—–downing this effective supplement that was helping a lot of people loose weight. The FDA is not a trustworthy organization and obviously has its own agendas going on !!
This supplement has more good things in it then bad which is more then you can say for ANY prescription drug !!! They are ALL RIDDLED with ten times more harmful side effects then this WILLEVER HAVE !!!
OK let’s just see now if this comment gets posted—— Betcha it won’t !!!! Let’s just see how free our country still is !!!!! Prove me wrong please. Great product this Zi Tang Bee Pollen!!! Let people be free to make THEIR OWN decisions !!!!! Just about every prescription out there is astronomically MORE dangerous then this product. WHY are they not all pulled off the market then !!!?????????????????
So Donna, let me see if I understand what you are saying:
1. You don’t care that zi xiu tang worked ONLY because it contained an illegal weight loss drug.
2. You don’t care that this illegal weight loss drug was NOT listed on the ingredients list.
3. You don’t care that the illegal weight loss drug is linked to strokes and heart attacks.
Donna, how can people make THEIR OWN decisions if they are not given all the facts. The FACT IS sibutramine was NOT listed among the ingredients.
I agree with Donna. This product was a great supplement, sure they should’ve listed the ingredient. But from what I understand it wasn’t in all of the bottles. People were getting healthy. And as far as heart attacks and strokes– it clearly stated anyone with a heart condition should not take. That’s what’s wrong with this country.
They do take it, something happens and they blame the supplement. If this drug was working in small dosages then why not bring it back …in small dosages ?? Because the fda can’t get their hands on any money from dietary supplements? Pathetic.
Brandy, suppose a supplement contained a ingredient that did not cause weight loss, but was harmful to people? Would you want to be notified of this?
I’m asking because it sounds like your saying that its ok that sibutramine was in the product because it worked.
So tell me why this subutrine or whatever its called is illegal ????? Its probably because they are not able to get a cut out of the profits for it ! Hands down ! I don’t care what you say on nitpicking this supplement YOU CANNOT tell me that the majority of prescription drugs being allowed to be on the market are not 10 x more dangerous and life threatening then this supplement ! Because if you did I know its a big FAT LIE !!!!
Donna, Sibutramine was a weight loss drug in the US. it went by the name Meridia. It was withdrawn because research showed it can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. I linked to reports on this in my review. here are some for you to look at
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm228830.htm
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm228747.htm
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm228812.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a601110.html\
Zi Xiu Tang and Sibutramine links:
http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/2013/ucm354241.htm
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm392163.htm
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm326267.htm
http://www.schmidtlaw.com/zi-xiu-tang-bee-pollen-capsules-recalled-again/
Donna has nobody ever told you about sibutramine and Zi Xiu Tang before now?
This is about people being safe, not about a conspiracy by the FDA.
I agree. These pills didn’t help me loose weight, but I had so many other great results like clearer skin and more energy.
Thanks for this review it was very informative… I took these pills for about 2 weeks a while back and lost about 35 lbs and kept it off… . recently I decided to give it another shot and pulled out the bottle and I took them for about 3 days. I’ve had the worst insomnia. Not being able to sleep triggered me to go online and do further research and I came across this review…
So for this I say Thank you this answers many of my questions, to bad I read this after I took it, wish I would of seen this sooner. The FDA link was a true shocker for me as before I purchased them there was no information online.
Curiosity, I’m just glad you are ok today because that’s what’s most important! The FDA takes a long time to get these alerts out but in the future, if it helps, if you take anything new, just enter the supplement- or ingredient – into the search box of my site. If I ever covered that supplement (or ingredient) it will show up so you can see any research that might exist on it.
Yes I just double checked and the manufacturer is definately still making these as of last month. If you’d like to see a picture please email me and I would gladly send it to you jeepgirl0881@yahoo.com
Whatev, email me tomorrow after jen responds and I can remove your email to cut down on any spam you might get
Thank you for bringing this to my attention. This company has been dissolved and if there is ultimate formula out there it is being made using a dissolved business…..I would appreciate a picture so I can report this ASAP. Thank you. Also, if you could find out who it was purchased from website, etc… That would be great.
The manufacturer date on the bottom of the box is last month. I have the box.
Well I stumbled across some ultimate formula that a friend had purchased online from a seller in trexlertown pa. According to her they are all over the place. And with a date of 09/2013 so I wanna know why zixiutangsuccess is still distributing the very pill they claim had sibutrmine in it?
I was owner of Zi Xiu Tang Success. NO it is not being sold. If you came across any it is because they never returned it during the recall. We advise to NOT take the product and dispose of any remaining product. Thank you.
People aren’t mad because they didn’t have adverse reactions or complications. Here’s what your statistics do not tell us:
How many of those 29 deaths had underlying heart problems (ya know the people that shouldn’t be taking anything for weight loss) how many of those 29 people took them as directed? How many of those 29 people were stacking them with other weight loss products?
Here’s the issue I have- I have tried several other products out there, that are “USA made” and for “weight loss”, and they are so filled with caffeine that I can not take them because I get jittery and feel like I am on speed. Not that I would know what that feels like but I can assume I’d feel that way.
I had zero effects from Zi xiu tang other than dry mouth. I’m not mad at the manufacturer because they put an illegal drug in there. I’m mad because the FDA won’t hear people out. Won’t hear the ones that it helped without issues. That’s what I’m mad about.
Again, it WAS legal…it was given to extremely obese people who already had heart problems and lung problems and my point is– maybe it’s not good for them to be taking a damn thing that would increase heart rate, hell they could drink a cup of coffee wnd have a heart attack if thats the case. maybe it should have a stricter availability on it, maybe it should be tried again in smaller dosages, just maybe…. but again, they don’t want people healthy. They make nothing from it.
Sarah, it is statisticallky unlikely for people under 50 or 30 to be dying from heart related problems. When you start seeing people dying that young and they were taking the same drug (sibutramine) then that starts to raise red flags.
As for stimulants in general, Ive never been a fan of them. as you said, I think in people who are obese, the risks are too great given that they likely already have some health problems. There are safer wt loss supplements out there than those that contain stimulants.
Maybe you had no side effects but what do you say to the people who had side effects or the families of those who died? To quote star trek, in this instance, dont you think the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few (sorry, I always wanted to use that quote somewhere..)
As for being legal, I agree with you. It was. Why didn’t this data come to light before people started dying from it? Supplement companies often get accused of not having clinical studies but sibutramine did. How come nobody saw this before it was too late? If you want to toss the pharm companies under that bus about this, I will help you push it over them.
I guess the day the thing I just cant wrap my mind around is that people would still take Zi Xiu Tang today, knowing what it contained. Skinny does not mean healthy.