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Foreign Product Alerts: Herbal Health Jointcare, Herbal Health RU Special Cream, Herbal Health YI Special Cream, Herbal Health JI Special Cream, Herbal Health XIANG Special Cream, Herbal Health Backplus 500mg, and Herbal Health V+
- Starting date:
- August 11, 2014
- Posting date:
- August 11, 2014
- Type of communication:
- Foreign Product Alert (FPA)
- Subcategory:
- Natural health products
- Source of recall:
- Health Canada
- Issue:
- Undeclared Substance
- Audience:
- General Public
- Identification number:
- RA-41009
These products are not authorized for sale in Canada and have not been found in the Canadian marketplace, but it is possible they may have been brought into the country by travellers or purchased over the Internet.
Background
Drugs and natural health products that are authorized for sale in Canada will have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), a Natural Product Number (NPN) or a Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) on the label. These numbers indicate that the products have been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality.
As of July 7, 2014, no adverse reactions suspected to be associated with the use of these products have been reported to Health Canada.
What you should do
Health Canada advises Canadians to contact the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate at 1-800-267-9675 if they find the products listed above in the Canadian marketplace.
Canadians who have these products are advised not to use them, and should consult with a healthcare professional if they have concerns about their health related to the use of these products.
Affected products
Herbal Health Jointcare
Product description
This product is promoted for the relief of joint pain.
Hazard identified
The Singapore Health Sciences Authority warned consumers not to use this product after it was found to contain betamethasone-17-valerate, furosemide, piroxicam, chlorpheniramine and famotidine.
- Betamethasone-17-valerate is a steroidal prescription drug used to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and allergic reactions.
- Furosemide is a prescription diuretic (water pill) used to remove excess fluid from the body.
- Piroxicam is a prescription drug in the family known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and is used to treat pain, fever and inflammation.
- Chlorpheniramine is a non-prescription antihistamine drug.
- Famotidine is used to treat heartburn and stomach ulcers. Famotidine is available as a prescription and/or non-prescription drug.
Prescription drugs such as betamethasone-17-valerate, furosemide, piroxicam, and famotidine should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Side effects
Side effects associated with betamethasone-17-valerate include irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, stomach ulcer, blood disorders, skin, muscle and bone damage, and nervous system disorders. Consult with your healthcare professional prior to stopping use, as sudden discontinuation of betamethasone-17-valerate may cause symptoms of withdrawal.
Side effects associated with furosemide include changes in electrolytes (specifically potassium), muscle cramps, dizziness, low blood pressure, headache and nausea.
Side effects associated with piroxicam include changes in blood pressure, gastrointestinal disorders (with or without bleeding), anemia, kidney failure and reduced blood clotting ability.
Side effects associated with chlorpheniramine include drowsiness, dizziness, confusion and blurred vision.
Side effects associated with famotidine include diarrhea, dizziness and headache.
Place of origin
Ace Nutrition International
Images (select thumbnail to enlarge - opens in a new window)
Herbal Health RU Special Cream, Herbal Health YI Special Cream, Herbal Health JI Special Cream, and Herbal Health XIANG Special Cream
Product description
These products are promoted for backache relief.
Hazard identified
The Singapore Health Sciences Authority warned consumers not to use these products after they were found to contain chlorpheniramine, clotrimazole, miconazole and terbinafine.
- Chlorpheniramine is a non-prescription antihistamine drug.
- Clotrimazole and miconazole are topical non-prescription antifungal drugs used to treat fungal infections.
- Topical terbinafine is a prescription antifungal drug used to treat fungal infections and should only be taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Side effects
Side effects associated with chlorpheniramine include drowsiness, dizziness, confusion and blurred vision.
Side effects associated with clotrimazole, miconazole and topical terbinafine include skin rash and irritation.
Place of origin
Ace Nutrition International
Images (select thumbnail to enlarge - opens in a new window)
Herbal Health Backplus 500mg
Product description
This product is promoted for back pain relief.
Hazard identified
The Singapore Health Sciences Authority warned consumers not to use this product after it was found to contain tadalafil.
- Tadalafil is a prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction and should only be taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Side effects
Tadalafil should not be used by individuals taking any kind of nitrate drug (e.g., nitroglycerine) as it can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure. Individuals with heart problems are at increased risk of cardiovascular side effects such as heart attack, stroke, chest pain, high blood pressure and abnormal heartbeat. Other side effects include headache, facial flushing, indigestion, dizziness, abnormal vision, and hearing loss.
Place of origin
Ace Nutrition International
Images (select thumbnail to enlarge - opens in a new window)
Herbal Health V+
Product description
This product is promoted for sexual health.
Hazard identified
The Singapore Health Sciences Authority warned consumers not to use this product after it was found to contain sildenafil and tadalafil.
- Sildenafil and tadalafil are prescription drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction and should only be taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Side effects
Sildenafil and tadalafil should not be used by individuals taking any kind of nitrate drug (e.g., nitroglycerine) as it can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure. Individuals with heart problems are at increased risk of cardiovascular side effects such as heart attack, stroke, chest pain, high blood pressure and abnormal heartbeat. Other side effects include headache, facial flushing, indigestion, dizziness, abnormal vision, and hearing loss.
Place of origin
Ace Nutrition International
Images (select thumbnail to enlarge - opens in a new window)
Report health or safety concerns
To report a side effect to a health product to Health Canada:
- Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345
Visit Health Canada's Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax