Agranulocytosis Caused by Chinese Herbal Medicines

Abstract

Four non-Chinese patients, middle-aged or older, developed agranulocytosis while taking Chinese herbal medicines for relief of arthritis and back pain. All four developed life-threatening infections with bacterial sepsis; one died. The herbal medicines were shown to contain substantial amounts of undeclared aminopyrine and phenylbutazone, drugs that are well-known causes of agranulocytosis. These Chinese herbal medicines are widely available over the counter throughout the United States. (JAMA231:352-355, 1975)