FDA Warns Not to Use Bismacine

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The FDA is warning consumers and healthcare providers not to use bismacine, an injectable product used to treat Lyme disease that is not FDA-approved.

In a July 21 press release, the FDA said busmacine, also known as chromacine, has been associated with one reported death and several reports of injury. On April 20, one person died, allegedly as a result of treatment with bismacine, and on March 29, 2005, another person was hospitalized after receiving a bismacine treatment, the FDA said.

The FDA said the product contains high amounts of bismuth, a heavy metal that is …