2 women suffer adverse effects after consuming products with potent medicinal ingredients

SINGAPORE – A woman who consumed D’Sihat Herba Gout & Sendi capsules for her knee pain developed Cushing’s syndrome and was hospitalised.

The syndrome is a serious steroid-induced condition with characteristics like weight gain and a “moon face” appearance.

She took the pills for seven months and experienced weight gain, swelling of her lower limbs and high blood sugar levels.

The woman, who is in her 50s, stopped consuming the pills but was later diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency – a serious steroid withdrawal condition where the body does not produce adequate amounts of steroid hormones.

She is one of two women who experienced steroid-induced adverse effects after consuming adulterated products containing potent medicinal ingredients including steroids, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said on Friday.

The other woman, who is in her 40s, experienced abnormal blood cortisol levels after consuming Yanwo Chongcao Yanyin Qinfei Huatan Dan capsules for a chronic cough.

Abnormal blood cortisol levels can result in adrenal insufficiency, which can lead to fatigue, generalised weakness, muscle and joint pain, low blood pressure, fits or shock.

HSA warned the public not to buy or consume the two products and that those who have consumed them should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Both women obtained the products from Malaysia through their friends, HSA said.

It added that the items are also sold on local e-commerce and social media platforms including Shopee and Facebook. A check by The Straits Times on Friday showed that they are available on the platforms. In an update on April 17, Shopee said that it has removed all relevant listings. 

HSA has alerted its Malaysian counterpart to the adulterated products and is working with the e-commerce platform administrators to remove the listings.

Investigations against the sellers are ongoing.

HSA said D’Sihat Herba Gout & Sendi was marketed for pain relief and falsely labelled to be free of steroids, while Yanwo Chongcao Yanyin Qinfei Huatan Dan was marketed as “100 per cent natural pure herbal” and helping to relieve cough.

However, HSA tests showed that the products contained steroids – dexamethasone was found in both while prednisolone was detected in Yanwo Chongcao Yanyin Qinfei Huatan Dan.

Long-term unsupervised use of steroids can cause Cushing’s syndrome, high blood sugar levels and high blood pressure, among other serious side effects.

Chlorpheniramine and promethazine were also found in both products. These are antihistamines used to relieve allergic conditions which can lead to adverse side effects like drowsiness, blurred vision and constipation.

HSA said: “Long-term steroid use can suppress the body’s production of steroids. Sudden stopping of the product without medical supervision may worsen underlying medical conditions or cause other serious withdrawal conditions such as adrenal insufficiency.”

It added that consumers should buy products only from reputable pharmacies or retailers and be cautious of items that claim to deliver quick results.

Those who need help managing their chronic medical conditions should always consult doctors and pharmacists.

HSA said action will be taken against those who sell and supply products adulterated with potent ingredients.

Those convicted can be jailed for up to two years, fined up to $10,000, or both.

Correction note: In an earlier version of the story, we said that those convicted of selling and supplying products adulterated with potent ingredients can be jailed for up to three years, fined up to $100,000, or both. This is incorrect. Those convicted can be jailed for up to two years, fined up to $10,000, or both. We are sorry for the errors.