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Foreign Product Alerts: Snake Powder Capsule for Rheumatism, Jia Rong Zhuang Gu Tong Bi Jiaonang, and Long Ren Tang Fu She Gu Rang Jiao Nang
- Starting date:
- April 19, 2013
- Posting date:
- April 19, 2013
- Type of communication:
- Foreign Product Alert (FPA)
- Subcategory:
- Natural health products
- Source of recall:
- Health Canada
- Source of alert:
Hong Kong Department of Health
- Issue:
- Undeclared Substance
- Audience:
- General Public
- Identification number:
- RA-26785
Introduction
These products are not authorized for sale in Canada and have not been found in the Canadian marketplace, but it is possible they may have been brought into the country by travellers or purchased over the Internet.
Affected products
- Snake Powder Capsule for Rheumatism
- Jia Rong Zhuang Gu Tong Bi Jiaonang
- Long Ren Tang Fu She Gu Rang Jiao Nang
Snake Powder Capsule for Rheumatism
Product description
Snake Powder Capsule for Rheumatism is promoted for joint pain.
Hazard identified
The Hong Kong Department of Health advised consumers not to use this product after it was found to contain multiple prescription drugs that were not declared on the product label.
- Piroxicam is a prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain, fever and inflammation.
- Dexamethasone is a steroidal prescription drug used to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and allergic reactions. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic (water pill) prescription drug used to remove excess fluid from the body.
- Cimetidine is a prescription drug used to treat heartburn and gastrointestinal ulcers. Prescription drugs should only be taken under the supervision of a health care practitioner.
Prescription drugs should only be taken under the supervision of a health care practitioner.
Place of origin
Unknown
Side effects
Side effects associated with piroxicam include changes in blood pressure, gastrointestinal disorders (with or without bleeding), anemia, kidney failure and reduced clotting ability.
Side effects associated with dexamethasone include irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, stomach ulcer, blood disorders, skin, muscle and bone damage, and nervous system disorders. Consult with your health care practitioner prior to stopping use, as sudden discontinuation of prednisone or dexamethasone may cause symptoms of withdrawal.
Side effects associated with hydrochlorothiazide include muscle cramps, dizziness, low blood pressure, headache and nausea.
Side effects associated with cimetidine include nausea, vomiting and headache.
Jia Rong Zhuang Gu Tong Bi Jiaonang
Product description
Jia Rong Zhuang Gu Tong Bi Jiaonang is promoted for joint pain.
Hazard identified
The Hong Kong Department of Health advised consumers not to use this product after it was found to contain multiple prescription drugs that were not declared on the product label.
- Indomethacin, piroxicam, and oral diclofenac are prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used to treat pain, fever and inflammation.
- Naproxen is also a NSAID, and is available either as a prescription or a non-prescription drug depending on the dosage.
- Prednisone is a steroidal prescription drugs used to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and allergic reactions.
- Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic (water pill) prescription drug used to remove excess fluid from the body.
- Cimetidine is a prescription drug used to treat heartburn and gastrointestinal ulcers.
- Metoclopramide is a prescription drug used to aid stomach emptying.
- Theophylline is a prescription drug used to treat asthma and bronchitis.
- Trimethoprim is a prescription antibiotic mainly used in the treatment of urinary tract infections.
- Phenylbutazone was previously used to treat pain, fever, and inflammation, but is no longer authorized for sale in Canada because of its association with bone marrow suppression, which makes the body unable to fight infection. Prescription drugs should only be taken under the supervision of a health care practitioner.
Prescription drugs should only be taken under the supervision of a health care practitioner.
Place of origin
Unknown
Side effects
Side effects associated with indomethacin, piroxicam, diclofenac, and naproxen include changes in blood pressure, gastrointestinal disorders (with or without bleeding), anemia, kidney failure and reduced clotting ability.
Side effects associated with prednisone include irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, stomach ulcer, blood disorders, skin, muscle and bone damage, and nervous system disorders. Consult with your health care practitioner prior to stopping use, as sudden discontinuation of prednisone or dexamethasone may cause symptoms of withdrawal.
Side effects associated with hydrochlorothiazide include muscle cramps, dizziness, low blood pressure, headache and nausea.
Side effects associated with cimetidine include nausea, vomiting and headache.
Side effects associated with metoclopramide include drowsiness, fatigue, insomnia, headache and dizziness. Metoclopramide has been associated with a serious condition involving abnormal muscle movements.
Side effects associated with trimethoprim include nausea and vomiting and skin rash.
Side effects associated with theophylline include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, bloody stools, fast or irregular heartbeat, fast breathing, changes in urination frequency, headache, restlessness, trembling, muscle twitching, and convulsions (seizures).
Additional side effects associated with phenylbutazone include reduced blood clotting ability, gastrointestinal bleeding and kidney failure.
Long Ren Tang Fu She Gu Rang Jiao Nang
Product description
Long Ren Tang Fu She Gu Rang Jiao Nang is promoted for joint pain.
Hazard identified
The Hong Kong Department of Health advised consumers not to use this product after it was found to contain multiple prescription drugs that were not declared on the product label.
- Indomethacin, piroxicam, and oral diclofenac are prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used to treat pain, fever and inflammation.
- Naproxen is also a NSAID, and is available either as a prescription or a non-prescription drug depending on the dosage.
- Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic (water pill) prescription drug used to remove excess fluid from the body.
- Cimetidine is a prescription drug used to treat heartburn and gastrointestinal ulcers.
- Metoclopramide is a prescription drug used to aid stomach emptying.
- Dipyridamole is a prescription drug used to reduce the risk of blood clots. Prescription drugs should only be taken under the supervision of a health care practitioner.
Prescription drugs should only be taken under the supervision of a health care practitioner.
Place of origin
Unknown
Side effects
Side effects associated with indomethacin, piroxicam, diclofenac, and naproxen include changes in blood pressure, gastrointestinal disorders (with or without bleeding), anemia, kidney failure and reduced clotting ability.
Side effects associated with hydrochlorothiazide include muscle cramps, dizziness, low blood pressure, headache and nausea. Side-effects associated with cimetidine include nausea, vomiting and headache.
Side effects associated with metoclopramide include drowsiness, fatigue, insomnia, headache and dizziness. Metoclopramide has been associated with a serious condition involving abnormal muscle movements.
Side effects associated with dipyridamole include easy bruising, bleeding, dark stools, dizziness, headache and yellow skin or eyes.
What you should do
Canadians who possess any of the products listed above are advised not to use them, and should consult with a health care professional if they have concerns about their health related to the use of these products.
Background
Drugs and natural health products that are authorized for sale in Canada will have either an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), a Natural Product Number (NPN) or a Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) on the label. These numbers indicate that the products have been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality.
As of April 3, 2013, no adverse reactions suspected to be associated with the use of these products have been reported to Health Canada.
Report a health or safety concern
- Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345
- Visit Health Canada's Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax
Media enquiries
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983
Public enquiries
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709
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