The Food and Drug Administration in the U.S. has issued a warning against drinking or injecting high-strength hydrogen peroxide products to treat serious diseases such as AIDS.
The agency is warning consumers not to purchase or to use high-strength hydrogen peroxide products, including a product marketed as "35 Percent Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide", for medicinal purposes because they can cause serious harm or death when ingested.
U.S. Health officials say such products which can be bought online can be extremely harmful as they are highly corrosive and drinking them could cause stomach irritation and ulcers.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says injecting the products intravenously could lead to blood vessel inflammation, bubbles in blood vessels and potentially life-threatening allergic reactions.
The FDA categorically states that it has not approved 35 percent hydrogen peroxide for any use and has warned two Texas-based firms, DFWX and Frad 35 Inc., that they are illegally selling 35 percent hydrogen peroxide products to treat AIDS, cancer, emphysema and other serious diseases.
The FDA recommends that consumers who are currently using high-strength hydrogen peroxide stop immediately and consult their health care provider.
Dr. Steven Galson, the director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, says there is no evidence that hydrogen peroxide taken internally has any medical value whatsoever and consuming it in the manner suggested by the Web sites could lead to tragic results.
Donald Worden, owner of Frad 35 Inc., intends to continue to sell his 35 percent hydrogen peroxide product saying his web site provides links to information about potential medical uses and he was not promoting it for that purpose.
The strength of hydrogen peroxide solutions sold over-the-counter for disinfecting wounds is 3 percent.
Officials at DFWX have not commented.
The FDA first issued such a warning in April 1989 about the illegal promotion of industrial-strength hydrogen peroxide to treat AIDS and cancer.
This followed at least one related death in Texas and several injuries requiring hospitalization.