Is your cold medicine safe? Shocking death sparks urgent health warning you can't ignore!
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As we welcome the cooler months, many of us reach for our trusted cold and flu remedies to ward off the sniffles and sneezes that come with the season.
However, a recent tragic event has prompted a stern warning from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) about a popular ‘immunity’ supplement that could carry more risk than relief.
The sudden death of 37-year-old Queensland man Cale Agosta, suspected to be caused by a fatal anaphylactic reaction after taking BioCeuticals’ ArmaForce, raised serious concerns.
This supplement, which can be purchased over the counter at pharmacies, contains andrographis paniculata—a herb whose risks are now under scrutiny.
The TGA expressed that there is a lack of comprehensive knowledge about the risk factors associated with andrographis allergy.
‘Little is currently known about the risk factors for andrographis allergy,’ the TGA stated.
‘We are evaluating this safety concern and are considering whether the current label warning for andrographis is sufficient to address this risk.’
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction to andrographis, as outlined by the TGA, include difficult or noisy breathing, swelling of the tongue, tightness in the throat, persistent coughing or wheezing, hoarseness or difficulty speaking, and persistent dizziness or collapse.
Since 2005, there have been 300 reports of anaphylaxis or hypersensitivity reactions to andrographis, with a significant increase to 200 since 2019.
Over 80 per cent of the reported reactions to andrographis occurred in medications that also included echinacea.
‘Immediately stop using a medicine containing andrographis and seek medical advice if you experience any signs of an allergic reaction,’ the TGA advised.
A spokesman from Blackmores, the parent company of BioCeuticals, stated that all of its products comply with current TGA regulations.
Meanwhile, Pharmacy Guild WA President Andrew Ngeow emphasised the importance of customers seeking advice on the safety and risks of using medication with andrographis.
‘We expect that all suppliers, including pharmacists, should be aware and adhere to the recommendations. As trained healthcare professionals, pharmacists are best placed to handle these adverse reactions and discuss the use of medications with all patients,’ he stated.
The loss of Mr Agosta has deeply affected his community, prompting a family friend to launch a GoFundMe campaign that has raised over $200,000 for his wife and two children.
‘Cale is a loyal friend, a devoted husband and a loving father. An electrician by trade, he was the main provider for the family,’ friend Steve Brittain wrote online.
‘If the roles were reversed, I know Cale would give us the shirt off his back as I watched him do it weekly for 20 years. Forever helping others with odd jobs and asking nothing in return.’
Andrographis is approved for use in Australia in low-risk medications and is found in approximately 100 registered medicines in Australia, commonly used to treat cold and flu symptoms or boost the immune system.
Many of these are readily available in supermarkets, health food stores, and pharmacies.
Since 2019, medicines containing andrographis must carry a warning label stating ‘andrographis may cause allergic reactions in some people’ and urging medical attention if one occurs.
In the event of a serious allergic reaction, the TGA urges consumers to seek urgent medical advice and call 000.
The TGA also cautioned individuals with a history of allergic reactions to be cautious.
‘You should be cautious using these medicines if you do not have reliable access to medical care,’ they said.
‘This is because severe reactions have been reported to occur in patients who have previously used these medicines without a reaction.’
‘If you have a history of allergic reactions, you should be cautious using a medicine containing andrographis and stop using it at the first sign of any allergic reaction.’
‘If you have previously experienced a severe allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis to any trigger, you should avoid medicines containing andrographis.’
‘This is because the risk factors for a severe reaction to andrographis are unknown,’ they added.
While the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) issues a critical warning about a widely-used cold and flu medicine following a tragic incident, concerns over herbal supplements have also surfaced.
Recently, the TGA revealed alarming health risks associated with a popular herbal supplement, prompting further scrutiny into the safety of alternative remedies.
These revelations highlight ongoing concerns about consumer safety and the need for informed choices in managing health conditions.
Have you or someone you know experienced any adverse reactions to cold and flu supplements? Share your experiences in the comments below to help others stay informed.
However, a recent tragic event has prompted a stern warning from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) about a popular ‘immunity’ supplement that could carry more risk than relief.
The sudden death of 37-year-old Queensland man Cale Agosta, suspected to be caused by a fatal anaphylactic reaction after taking BioCeuticals’ ArmaForce, raised serious concerns.
This supplement, which can be purchased over the counter at pharmacies, contains andrographis paniculata—a herb whose risks are now under scrutiny.
Queensland man Cale Agosta died from a suspected anaphylactic reaction to a cold and flu supplement containing andrographis paniculata. Credit: Shutterstock
The TGA expressed that there is a lack of comprehensive knowledge about the risk factors associated with andrographis allergy.
‘Little is currently known about the risk factors for andrographis allergy,’ the TGA stated.
‘We are evaluating this safety concern and are considering whether the current label warning for andrographis is sufficient to address this risk.’
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction to andrographis, as outlined by the TGA, include difficult or noisy breathing, swelling of the tongue, tightness in the throat, persistent coughing or wheezing, hoarseness or difficulty speaking, and persistent dizziness or collapse.
Since 2005, there have been 300 reports of anaphylaxis or hypersensitivity reactions to andrographis, with a significant increase to 200 since 2019.
Over 80 per cent of the reported reactions to andrographis occurred in medications that also included echinacea.
‘Immediately stop using a medicine containing andrographis and seek medical advice if you experience any signs of an allergic reaction,’ the TGA advised.
A spokesman from Blackmores, the parent company of BioCeuticals, stated that all of its products comply with current TGA regulations.
Meanwhile, Pharmacy Guild WA President Andrew Ngeow emphasised the importance of customers seeking advice on the safety and risks of using medication with andrographis.
‘We expect that all suppliers, including pharmacists, should be aware and adhere to the recommendations. As trained healthcare professionals, pharmacists are best placed to handle these adverse reactions and discuss the use of medications with all patients,’ he stated.
The loss of Mr Agosta has deeply affected his community, prompting a family friend to launch a GoFundMe campaign that has raised over $200,000 for his wife and two children.
‘Cale is a loyal friend, a devoted husband and a loving father. An electrician by trade, he was the main provider for the family,’ friend Steve Brittain wrote online.
‘If the roles were reversed, I know Cale would give us the shirt off his back as I watched him do it weekly for 20 years. Forever helping others with odd jobs and asking nothing in return.’
Andrographis is approved for use in Australia in low-risk medications and is found in approximately 100 registered medicines in Australia, commonly used to treat cold and flu symptoms or boost the immune system.
Many of these are readily available in supermarkets, health food stores, and pharmacies.
Since 2019, medicines containing andrographis must carry a warning label stating ‘andrographis may cause allergic reactions in some people’ and urging medical attention if one occurs.
In the event of a serious allergic reaction, the TGA urges consumers to seek urgent medical advice and call 000.
The TGA also cautioned individuals with a history of allergic reactions to be cautious.
‘You should be cautious using these medicines if you do not have reliable access to medical care,’ they said.
‘This is because severe reactions have been reported to occur in patients who have previously used these medicines without a reaction.’
‘If you have a history of allergic reactions, you should be cautious using a medicine containing andrographis and stop using it at the first sign of any allergic reaction.’
‘If you have previously experienced a severe allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis to any trigger, you should avoid medicines containing andrographis.’
‘This is because the risk factors for a severe reaction to andrographis are unknown,’ they added.
While the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) issues a critical warning about a widely-used cold and flu medicine following a tragic incident, concerns over herbal supplements have also surfaced.
Recently, the TGA revealed alarming health risks associated with a popular herbal supplement, prompting further scrutiny into the safety of alternative remedies.
These revelations highlight ongoing concerns about consumer safety and the need for informed choices in managing health conditions.
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