HSA issues warning on two ‘traditional Chinese medicines’
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has issued a warning on two health products sold as traditional Chinese medicines which have been detected to contain potent western medicines.
The two products labelled as Ren Sem Tu Chon Chin Kuo Pill and Huo Li Bao are adulterated medicines which are not approved by the authorities.
The first product is packaged in a yellow labelled box containing round black pills while the other can be found in a green box containing green capsules packed in foiled blisters. Both products are promoted as traditional Chinese medicines.
In a press statement issued on Monday, HSA said that the products were detected two months ago following adverse reaction reports submitted by "vigilant" doctors, who had suspected that their patients suffered adverse effects after consuming them.
"Upon investigation, these products were found to contain undeclared western medicines by HSA's Pharmaceutical Laboratory."
A HSA spokesperson told Yahoo! Singapore that the Chinese medicines are banned substances and not approved by the authorities. In addition, the products can only be bought overseas and are not available in local stores, pharmacies and traditional Chinese medicine shops.
The patients involved were said to have either bought those products overseas or received it from friends.
The said western medicines refer to dexamethasone and chlorpheniramine which can be found in Ren Sem Tu Chon Chin Kuo Pill while the other product, Huo Li Bao, contains piroxicam, chlorpheniramine and frusemide.
If consumed more than required, these western medicines may lead to adverse health effects which include high blood pressure, urinary retention and depletion of important minerals in the body.
For instance, unsupervised long-term use of dexamethasone can result in increased glucose levels in the blood which in return may lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, muscular and bone damage.
Members of the public who have these products are advised to stop consuming them as it can cause serious side effects. Those who have consumed them should also immediately seek medical attention if they feel unwell or are concerned about their health.
According to HSA, two female patients aged 50 and 80 years old had taken the Ren Sem Tu Chon Chin Kuo Pill. The product was bought from overseas by the first patient while the latter obtained it through a family friend.
The patients had been on the medication -- said to be for pain relief and manufactured in China Guandong Lian He Drug Factory -- for a period of three months to two years.
Throughout the time, they experienced significant weight gain, swelling of lower limbs, muscle aches, increased urination and excessive thirst.
It is understood that the signs and symptoms are consistent with that of Cushing's Syndrome — which is a result of prolonged unsupervised use of dexamethasone.
On the other hand, a 60-year-old female patient was said to have consumed Huo Li Bao for a few years intermittently to relieve painful inflation of the knee. The product, which acts a pain reliever for those with arthritis, is produced in Penang.
The patient was said to have suffered from high blood pressure, low blood potassium level and suppressed hormonal response leading to low immunity.
It is understood that all the patients have since stopped consuming the products and are recovering after seeking medical attention.
The HSA also cautioned the public to be wary of traditional and complementary medicines that provide quick or rapid relief of chronic disease condition such as arthritic pain and diabetes, especially if the products claim to cure serious conditions.
