Ancom
Tablets
as Antihypertensive Drugs?
Yolanda
R. Robles, PhD
 About
three years ago, in a study on hypertensive patients conducted by
a nursing graduate student, the name Ancom Tablets©
was brought to my attention. It was reportedly used by many patients
with hypertension in a certain barangay as a replacement for their
prescribed maintenance drugs. Curious, I asked for the label and
container of the said drug. What then is Ancom and why it has gained
popularity among some patients?
Ancom Tablets are
a mixture of eight active ingredients in tablet form, in the following
proportions:
- Reserpine
Chloride, 30 mg.
- Hydrochlorothiazide,
3.1 mg.
- Diazepam,
1 mg.
- Promethiazine
HCI, 2.1 mg.
- Dihydralazine
Sulfate, 4.2 mg.
- Calcium
pantothenate, 1 mg.
- Magnesium
Trisilicate, 30 mg., and
- Vitamin B, 1 mg.
According to an
ad in the Internet, there are clinical reports from big hospitals
in Shanghai that Ancom tablets are extensively used in the treatment
of hypertension at early and middle stages. When given orally, it
purportedly relieves hypertensive symptoms in the patient, and stabilizes
the blood pressure. Its dosage regimen is as follows: 1-2 tablets
each time, three times dailv. If a sustained fall of blood pressure
at a stable level is obtained, the dosage may be reduced gradually
to a maintenance dose of one tablet each time, 1-2 times daily.
It is sold as Ancom
Tablets: Antihypertensive Compound and are packaged in white plastic
bottles of 100 tablets costing only Php 80.00 per bottle. It is
manufactured by Shanghai Pharmaceutical Industry Corp. and is exported
to the Philippines as a Chinese herbal medicine.
This drug is not
available in most drugstores. In fact, peddlers and independent
sellers who make house-to-house visits are the ones promoting the
use of this drug in the provinces and nearby cities.
Early this year,
however, the United States Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA)
issued a warning regarding the use of this mixture. The combination
of ingredients poses possible health risks and that sedation, depression
and life-threatening blood abnormalities could result from its continued
use. Two companies in the US already issued a recall of these tablets
in the market. At least one illness has been linked to the use of
this drug.
Why is this drug
gaining popularity among Filipino patients with hypertension? It
is very likely due to economic reasons. The drug is very cheap,
and does not require any prescription when purchased from its source.
The label does not carry the Rx sign that, by law, indicates that
it is a prescription drug.
Nevertheless, our
kababayans should be warned regarding its potential adverse
effects, which if not prevented, could be very costly for the patient.
Return
to Medication Guide Homepage.
Ask
our pharmacy experts a question.
|
