FDA Shuts Down Natural Pain Options

FDA-approved pain medicines are dangerous, but the government is systematically attacking safer, non-addictive natural treatments. Action Alert!

A recent study in Switzerland found that acetaminophen poisoning increased by 40% following the approval of 1,000mg doses. This is just the latest data to indicate the public health problems caused by this commonly used pain drug, which is the active ingredient in Tylenol. Despite the dangers of FDA-approved pain drugs, the federal government aggressively attacks and censors natural pain medicines like homeopathic treatments, CBD, medical foods, and supplements. This needless suffering must end.

We’ve written for years about the dangers of acetaminophen. It is the most commonly prescribed class of drugs despite causing 50 percent of all liver failure in the US. According to the FDA’s adverse event database, acetaminophen has caused more than 100,000 adverse events and more than 78,000 serious adverse events, including 24,000 deaths. It has also been linked to asthma and hearing loss.

Overdoses involving opioids killed nearly 47,000 people in 2018 alone.

Now consider the federal government’s approach to natural pain medicines. The FDA essentially banned all injectable homeopathic medicines, which includes Traumeel, a prescription-only homeopathic medicine for pain with an extremely robust safety profile.

Previously, the FDA went after Limbrel, a medical food for the treatment of osteoarthritis. In a letter to Primus, the FDA stated that 194 adverse event reports for Limbrel were received between 2007 and 2017—about 20 a year.

Then, of course, there’s CBD. The federal government’s approach to CBD right now is frankly a mess, and we’ve sifted through the details in previous coverage. In short, hemp and its derivatives have been legalized at the federal level, but FDA laws still apply to products containing hemp, such as supplements, lotions, cosmetics, etc. Since 2018, the FDA has been trying to figure out how it will treat these products. Recall, too, that the agency has approved a CBD drug, and according to FDA rules, this means that CBD cannot legally be sold as a supplement.

We ultimately don’t know how the FDA will treat CBD supplements. If history provides any clues, the FDA will protect the drug-approval process and ban CBD supplements. To add to the confusion, Congress is directing the FDA to release an interim policy (called a policy of enforcement discretion) explaining how it will treat CBD products in the marketplace as the agency develops its final regulatory framework. Will the FDA release an interim policy that allows CBD supplements for the time being before banning them outright when a final policy is released? We just don’t know, but we should assume that the FDA will not do the right thing, especially when Big Pharma profits are at stake.

It is unconscionable, but unsurprising, that the FDA would reduce access to safe, non-addictive alternatives to dangerous opioid drugs that killed 30,000 people in 2018 alone. We’ve also seen basic information on natural health censored to protect drug industry profits during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cronyism has to stop.

Action Alert! Write to Congress and the FDA, telling them to issue a policy of enforcement discretion that protects consumer access to hemp-derived CBD supplements at therapeutic levels and full-spectrum hemp oil. Please send your message immediately. By sending this message, you will also be supporting our petition to ungag doctors so that they can share with patients the benefits of supplements and natural treatments for COVID.

25 comments

  1. Please issue a policy of enforcement discretion that protects consumer access to hemp-derived CBD supplements at therapeutic levels and full-spectrum hemp oil.

  2. Leave it up to us to decide what is best for us!!
    I have seen people suffer from severe side effects from FDA approved meds!

  4. I do not & will not take opioids & try to avoid all prescription drugs. All of them cause side effects of one sort or another & most cause serious health issues over time. For many years, I have searched for naturopathic and/or herbal remedies for my arthritis pain. Most are inexpensive, readily available & cause few or very mild side effects. Why, then, does the FDA seem to target these very things, while leaving dangerous, harmful synthetic chemical concoctions on the market? Why is it that doctors are censured, blackballed & threatened with loss of licensure for even recommending natural remedies? Quite frankly, I suspect it has a lot to do with money, as there isn’t much to be made on natural substances. If that is the case, it is abhorrent that profits and kickbacks are put ahead of alleviating pain and improving life for millions of people who suffer from various kinds of chronic pain daily. For most of my life, I’ve been told that it’s “my body, my choice” & that is true in relation to much more than just reproductive issues. I am a reasonably intelligent, educated adult who is perfectly capable of making my own health choices. I should rightfully be able to choose a natural remedy over a prescription chemical. I don’t need the Federal government to make that decision for me. I am asking you respectfully to do the right thing & leave that decision to me.

  6. This is a naturally derived plant, we the people have a right to make our own educated choices !!

  7. I agree with your story EXCEPT for your characterization of Opioid Overdoses. Less than 1% of Opioid overdoses are a result of prescription pain relievers given to Chronic Pain Patients. These patients have been cut off of the life sustaining medications that most have been on for decades. All because of these misconceptions. The LARGE majority of Opioid OD’s are the result of Illicit Street drugs such as Carfentanyl and Heroin. PLEASE stop lumping all these overdoses in with prescription pain medications. SOO many folks have resorted to either suicide of looking on the streets for help with their pain. Their is NO REASON a human should be forced to suffer Intractable Pain because of a few folks that have misused medications or street drugs.

  8. Please stop forcing us to take these dangerous meds like tylenol by restricting our freedom of choice for homeopathy and other less dangerous than Tylenol remedies. You know, when your life rolls by for your review as you leave this plane? This behavior won’t have served you. The Greed Factor? Nah.

  10. Way too many Americans are dying from opioids. Addiction is destroying individuals and families, and, in turn, communities.

  11. Give me a break. If not for the “special” relationship the entire Sackler family maintains with government cronies the entire family would be in jail for illicit drug dealing. Yet they are extolled as the pillars of life. Total and complete BS. The FDA serves but one master, and that service has nothing at all to do with the health and welfare of the American citizen or the citizen of any country. Big Pharma rules so they make all the nickels and dimes. Every one of you fools deserve exactly what your going to get from this “sweetheart deal”, sooner or later you all will be on the receiving end of Big Pharma and the Sackler family vision for you and yours. Good luck with that.

  13. I had a wonderful sociology professor that reminded us at the beginning of every class that the business of America is business. Always follow the money trail. Therefore, my first thought is always who is sleeping with who, which is my way of interpreting the money trail. We all know it goes on. We all know Big Pharma’s role in contributing to major pain killer addictions and overdoses. We all know that it’s always about the money. We all know many politicians are paid off.
    What I do not see is a commitment to integrity and to the highest good of the people.
    So tell me Congress and the FDA, when are you going to commence making choices for the highest good of the people?
    FACT: Acetaminophen poisoning increased 40% following approval of 1,000 mg doses.
    FACT: It causes 50% of all liver failure in the U.S.
    FACT: In 2018 opiods killed nearly 47,000 people.
    And of course we now have censorship.

  15. I am so sick and tired of these companies putting more importance on money over people! Current policies have given way to this opposed to the olden days of helping people in any way possible.
    How much money is too much money?

  16. Stop undermining the personal health care choices that demand higher standards of medical care using homeopathic means to address illnesses and injuries.

  17. Hands OFF of our natural products! thank you!
    STOP attacking safer, non-addictive natural treatments. Action Alert!

  18. It is unconscionable, but unsurprising, that the FDA would reduce access to safe, non-addictive alternatives to dangerous opioid drugs that killed 30,000 people in 2018 alone. We’ve also seen basic information on natural health censored to protect drug industry profits during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cronyism has to stop.

  25. Kratom is another example of a misinformed onslaught of ridiculous allegations brought on by the crooked FDA!

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