FDA Warns About Alleged Lyme Therapy

ROCKVILLE, Md., July 21 -- The FDA issued a warning today to doctors and consumers to avoid the use of an ostensible therapy for Lyme disease called bismacine, also known as chromacine, that may have caused one death and multiple injuries.

The agency described Bismacine as an injectable product. not approved for anything, including Lyme disease.

"Bismacine is not a pharmaceutical and is mixed individually by druggists," the FDA said. "It is prescribed or administered by doctors of 'alternative health' or by people claiming to be medical doctors."

Bismacine contains high amounts of bismuth, the heavy metal that used in some medications taken by mouth to treat Helicobacter pylori. Bismuth is not approved in any form for use by injection, the FDA said. Bismuth poisoning can cause cardiovascular collapse and kidney failure.

"On April 20, 2006, one person died as a result of treatment with bismacine, and on March 29, 2005, another person was hospitalized after receiving a bismacine treatment," the agency said. "Other individuals who have used or been administered this product have also suffered serious adverse events."