Health hazard: The health product "Junyu Jiaonanyihao" has been found to contain undeclared Western drug ingredients that may cause side effects.

Consumers should not buy or use "Junyu Jiaonanyihao", a health product which has been found to contain undeclared Western drug ingredients that may cause side effects, the Department of Health says.

A 39-year-old man came down with a bloated face and neck, fat around his abdomen and stripes on his stomach after taking the product for treating his skin disease. He was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital and has been discharged.

The product was obtained on the Mainland. The department has no record of the product having been imported into Hong Kong for sale, or having been submitted for registration.

Tests found the product contained Western drug ingredients - dexamethasone acetate, sibutramine and phenolphthalein.

Side effects

Dexamethasone acetate is a steroid for relieving allergies and inflammation. Taking it for a long time can cause side effects including a bloated face, fat around the abdomen, hypertension, high blood sugar and peptic ulcers. Sibutramine is an appetite suppressant used for slimming that can increase blood pressure and heart rate. People with heart problems should not take it.  

Both ingredients are classified as third-schedule poisons under the Pharmacy & Poisons Ordinance and can be sold only on a doctor's prescription with pharmacist's supervision.

Phenolphathlein is a laxative. It has been banned in Hong Kong since 2001 due to its carcinogenic potential.

People who have the product should stop taking it immediately and seek medical advice if they feel unwell. They should dispose of the product or send it to the department's Pharmaceutical Service at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours.