HSA alerts public to illegal and adulterated capsules

ALL content used in this not-for-profit blog remain the property of their respective owners.
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_821415.html

Three people ended up in trouble, with one landing himself in the intensive care unit (ICU), after taking illegal capsules they got from friends and street peddlers, thinking they were meant for pain relief.

In issuing a warning on Thursday morning, the Health Sciences Authority said the reported cases involved patients aged between 40 and 80.

The capsules were adulterated with dexamethasone, a very potent anti-inflammatory steroid which should only be taken under strict supervision from doctors. The adverse side effects include increased blood glucose leading to diabetes, high blood pressure, eye, muscular and bone disorders, and can cause serious symptoms upon withdrawal.

Dexamethasone is a very potent steroid used for anti-inflammatory purposes and should only be taken under strict supervision by doctors. It can cause serious adverse effects such as increased blood glucose leading to diabetes, high blood pressure, eye, muscular and bone disorders, and can cause serious symptoms upon withdrawal.

Members of the public who have consumed the above illegal capsules should consult their doctors as soon as possible and should stop taking the product on their own to avoid symptoms of steroid withdrawal. Those who have also encountered these illegal products or any other suspicious products are encouraged to report them to the enforcement branch of HSA at Tel: 6866 3485 or e-mail: hsa_is@hsa.gov.sg.