Diabetes supplement CuraLin recalled after HSA finds risks of seizures, coma if taken incorrectly

SINGAPORE – The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has ordered the recall of CuraLin Advanced Glucose Support capsules after finding undisclosed prescription-only anti-diabetic ingredients that can be life-threatening if taken unsupervised.

The CuraLin capsules, imported by LYC Nutrihealth from the US, were tested by HSA and found to contain glibenclamide and metformin, said the regulator on May 5.

Glibenclamide and metformin are prescription-only medicines for the treatment of diabetes and should be used only under medical supervision, said HSA.

Sales of the affected batches – both expiring in September 2026 – have been halted. Listings of the CuraLin capsules on e-commerce platforms including Shopee and Lazada have also been removed, said HSA.

CuraLin had marketed its Advanced Glucose Support capsules as containing traditional herbs to help support healthy blood sugar levels, and the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats.

But inappropriate use of glibenclamide and metformin may cause low blood glucose levels that lead to seizures and comas.

Those who take the CuraLin capsules that have those two ingredients may experience nausea, diarrhoea and cholestatic jaundice, a condition where bile flow is blocked.

Metformin can also cause dangerous, life-threatening acid build-up in blood or lactic acidosis.

Diabetic patients who take these batches of CuraLin together with their own prescribed anti-diabetic medicine are also at risk of overdosing due to the additive effects of the medicine.

HSA advised users to stop taking CuraLin immediately and to consult doctors if they feel discomfort, especially diabetes patients taking prescribed medicines concurrently.

There may be more variants of CuraLin on the market, but consumers should avoid buying or consuming them, said HSA.

Retailers found to be selling products with adulterated ingredients face a two-year jail term and a $10,000 fine.