SAFETY regulators have issued a warning about a herbal weight loss pill that contains a dangerous cocktail of stimulants, beta blockers and sibutramine.

The product – Que She – could cause serious side-effects, especially in those with cardiovascular conditions, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said this morning.

Que She, marketed as “Slimming Factor Capsule” or “an all-natural blend of Chinese herbs”, was found to contain fenfluramine, ephedrine, propanalol and sibutramine.

A spokesperson for the TGA reiterated warnings about the dangers of purchasing medicines over the Internet, as they had usually not been tested by the TGA for safety or effectiveness.

It is unclear whether Que She is sold over the counter by pharmacies in Australia but Medical Observer found several distributors on Internet auction site eBay, as well as international websites offering delivery to Australia.

One site describes Que She as the most popular weight loss product in Japan and China, promising up to 5 kg of weight loss per month with no side-effects.

“Que She, marketed as an herbal weight loss supplement, contains active pharmaceutical ingredients not listed on the product label that could harm consumers, especially those with cardiovascular conditions,” the FDA warning said.

The FDA warned that Que She was available online and in retail outlets in the US. However, the Internet distributor named in the announcement – Bouncing Bear Botanicals – appeared to have already removed the product from its site as MO went to press.