Chinese medicine warning issued

August 03, 2012

The Department of Health today issued a warning about unregistered proprietary Chinese medicine Ginseng Plus – Capsules for Waist & Muscle Pain, which contains undeclared Western drugs that are dangerous to health.
 
It comes after a 79-year-old woman who was using the product fell ill on July 1 with impaired renal function. She was hospitalised and is now stable.
 
The Hospital Authority found the product contained Cyproheptadine and Dexamethasone. Cyproheptadine is used to relieve allergies and can cause dizziness and drowsiness. Dexamethasone is a steroid and a prescription-only medicine.
 
Taking dexamethasone for a long time can cause side effects such as moon face, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, muscle atrophy, peptic ulcer, and even osteoporosis.