Risky herbal products recalled

Three herbal products were recalled yesterday because they contain undeclared prescription medicines.

The Director-General of Health, Karen Poutasi, named the Herbs Health brand of Joint Plus capsules, S. E. N Plus capsules and Multistress capsules.

The Ministry of Health medicines safety authority (Medsafe) is ordering the recall because the products illegally contain the prescription medicines frusemide, piroxicam or betamethasone.

Dr Poutasi said these herbal products were not approved as medicines in New Zealand and posed a risk if taken without medical supervision.

The Herbs Health Joint Plus and S. E. N Plus capsules both contain frusemide and piroxicam. Consumers are being warned to immediately stop taking these products.

Dr Poutasi said people using the capsules should also see their doctor if symptoms return or worsen, or if they feel unwell after stopping, to discuss whether alternative treatments are needed.

The Herbs Health Multistress capsules contain betamethasone, a potent steroid (corticosteroid) used to treat inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Each Multistress capsule contains about 1.6mg of betamethasone.

Dr Poutasi urged anyone taking Multistress to contact their doctor for advice.

"It is important that people do not suddenly stop taking this Multistress, because it can be harmful to stop steroids abruptly," she said. "It is also essential that any person who has been taking Multistress continuously and is about to have surgery must tell their surgeon and anaesthetist.

"This is because there is a risk of complications during surgery such as a sudden drop in blood pressure for anyone who has recently taken steroids.

"People who have recently stopped taking Multistress should also see their doctor for a checkup."

The ministry has provided advice to doctors on the Medsafe website about how to wean patients off Herbs Health Multistress, because of the risk associated with sudden cessation of prolonged use of steroids in some patients.

The long-term or high-dose use of oral steroids is associated with side-effects such as increased susceptibility to infection, skin damage, acne, osteoporosis, diabetes, fluid retention and weight gain.

Frusemide is a diuretic used to increase urine output and circulatory conditions such as fluid retention (oedema) and heart failure. The amount of frusemide in each capsule is about 4mg, which is less than a therapeutic adult dose.

Piroxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine used to treat pain, swelling and inflammation caused by musculo-skeletal conditions such as arthritis. Each capsule contains about 11mg, which is a therapeutic dose.

- NZPA