The Health Sciences Authority said on Wednesday that the herbal product was found to contain two potent steroids, dexamethasone and prednisolone, and the anti-inflammatory painkiller diclofenac, all of which should only be used under strict medical supervision.
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The HW Beauty Serbuk Campuran Kurma, Madu & Limau Kasturi product. Photo courtesy of the Health Sciences Authority |
The steroids, typically prescribed for inflammatory conditions, can raise blood sugar levels, potentially leading to diabetes, high blood pressure, cataracts, and musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoporosis.
The painkiller, if used over a prolonged period, can result in serious gastric bleeding and cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes. It can also worsen kidney function in patients with pre-existing kidney problems and raise the risk of infections and Cushing’s syndrome.
The regulator has received reports of individuals who developed acute kidney injury and Cushing’s syndrome after consuming the product, according to The Straits Times.
Two patients were hospitalized in November but have since been discharged.
One local who used the product for about a month told Stomp that, although it seemed effective, he experienced adverse effects after stopping.
“I recently stopped using it due to hazy reasons as it seems too good to be true. Immediately, I had a fever and headaches for one week,” he told the Singapore-based citizen journalism website, adding that he contacted the seller, who claimed he must have used a fake product.
He warned the public: “I am letting the public know to avoid this product at all cost as one of my friends was admitted to hospital in critical condition.”
The product was widely sold at local retailers and online platforms, such as Carousell, Lazada, Shopee and TikTok, and was marketed as “steroid-free” and a “traditional herbal supplement passed down through generations” to relieve medical conditions such as joint pain and gout, according to AsiaOne.
HSA has urged sellers and suppliers to immediately stop selling the product and collaborated with local e-commerce platforms to remove existing listings. It has also instructed platforms to block any future listings.
“Sellers and suppliers are liable to prosecution and if convicted, may be imprisoned for up to two years, fined up to $10,000, or both,” the regulator warned.
