Meitizang...is it really just herbal? Is it safe?

[Halifaxmum]

A mate's daughter is taking these. She gets them off the internet and reckons they are completely safe as they are herbal. We had a quick look on t'internet and it mentions something called sibutramine (or something like it) which sounds dodgy.

She is thin anyway (size 6-8) and rarely eats, gets headaches, dizziness and pins & needles quite often, as well as palpitations (GP has given her tablets for them), but the GP doesn't know about the slimming tablets.

Are these 'herbal' things really safe? TIA x

[Calibax]

sibutramine is not herbal and has been withdrawn from th UK and US as it can lead to increased chance of stroke etc.

[LazyGun]

I really do not understand how people seem willing to swallow literally anything at all, investing a childlike trust into the concept that its "herbal", and of course we all know that herbal stuff is completely safe dont we?

There are all sorts of problems buying supplements or pharmaceuticals over the internet.
1.Lack of any proper data on possibly clinically significant side-effects.

2.Accessing supplements or medication that may be banned in the UK.
3.The very high, very real chance that you are paying good money for fake tablets.

Your mates daughter already sounds unhealthy, and maybe borderline with respect to eating disorders of one sort or another.. Taking alleged slimming pills ordered online with no means of verifying the manufacturer or the ingredients and possible side effects is just plain silly.She is already on prescribed medication but is taking pills without checking whether there could be serious interactions? It is an incredibly high-risk lifestyle.
We are all free to make our own decisions obviously - but IMO your friend should be stepping in to try and protect their daughter from these risky actions.

[Halifaxmum]

Thanks cal and lazy.

Lazy - she is doing what she can - her daughter has a history of eating disorders going back to when she was 11 or so and was abused. We've been talking today and are going to approach her GP, see what she can do - we know there's a problem with confidentiality, but the girl just won't listen to her mum - she says 'everyone takes them, they're safe' !

[LazyGun]

Didnt want to sound repressive halifax :)
All teenagers have the same excuse for anything they want to take/say/do when challenged - "but everyones taking them/ding/saying it" ;) Even were that true, it still doesn't make it safe.
Approaching the GP seems sensible to me - Some sort of treatment programme would appear to be in order - has your friends daughter ever attended such a thing?

[Halifaxmum]

lazy - no and she wouldn't go, she's thin as a rake with her bones stickin out but doesn't think she is thin and goes on about losing weight.
I think we've come to the time when we can do no more than go down the GP route - she is an adult (21 or 2 I think) and there's only so much we can do.
Thanks