Que She, a Chinese herbal supplement sold as a weight loss pill in US, could cause dangerous side-effects including heart ailments, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned.

Que She herbal supplement contains active chemical pharmaceutical ingredients not listed on the product label that could harm consumers, especially those with cardiovascular conditions.

An analysis of Que She by US FDA found that the herbal supplement contained several active chemical drugs including those which are either banned or controlled due to their possible harmful effects to users.

The chemical drug ingredients found in Que She herbal supplement samples include fenfluramine, sibutramine and ephedrine. Fenfluramine is a stimulant drug withdrawn from the U.S. market in 1997 after studies demonstrated that it caused serious heart valve damage.

Propranolol is a prescription beta blocker drug that can pose a risk to people with bronchial asthma and certain heart conditions. Sibutramine is a controlled substance and prescription weight loss drug, sibutramine was the subject of a recent study whose preliminary findings showed an association between sibutramine use and increased risk of heart attack and stroke in patients who have a history of heart disease.

And ephedrine is a stimulant drug that is legally marketed over-the-counter for temporary relief of asthma but can pose a risk to people with certain cardiovascular conditions. These active pharmaceutical ingredients also may interact with other medications and result in a serious adverse event, US FDA warned.

The drug regulator asked people who have purchased Que She should stop taking the product immediately and consult a health care professional.

Que She, advertised as “Slimming Factor Capsule” and as “an all-natural blend of Chinese herbs,” has been widely distributed on Internet sites such as the Bouncing Bear Botanicals website, and at retail outlets, including Sacred Journey in Lawrence, Kan.