National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against the use of products containing potent medicinal ingredients, steroids and other banned substances.
The four products are tadalafil, sibutramine, Enru Plus+ and Herba Kurus Tradisi also known as HKT.
In a public alert signed by the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye on Sunday in Abuja, revealed that the agency was notified of the product via a statement by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) of Singapore.
She disclosed that potent medicinal ingredients were outlawed in the affected products as it might cause severe side effects on consumers.
Adeyeye pointed out that HSA confirmed that four consumers experienced adverse effects after taking three of the products, adding that laboratory analysis conducted by HSA revealed that the products contain potent medicinal ingredients, including steroids.
She said that sibutramine is a banned weight loss medicine and tadalafil is an erectile dysfunction medicine.
The DG listed other products as Enru Plus+ (banned substance), local e-commerce Herba Kurus Tradisi also known as HKT, saying that potent ingredients found in the products were dexamethasone and prednisolone.
Adeyeye stated that dexamethasone and prednisolone are potent steroids that were usually prescribed for inflammatory conditions and could only be used under strict medical supervision.
She noted that long-term unsupervised use of steroids could lead to increased blood glucose levels, which might result to diabetes, high blood pressure, cataracts, muscular and bone disorders.
The DG hinted that steroids could also increase risk of infections and cushing syndrome (a round or ‘moon face’ appearance and upper body obesity with thin limbs).
Adeyeye informed that discontinuing the use of steroids without proper medical supervision could cause serious withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, confusion and low blood pressure.
She said that combination of diclofenac and steroids in the products might cause serious gastric bleeding, as well as cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and stroke when used for a prolonged period.
The NAFDAC boss described diclofenac as a potent painkiller that should be used under close medical supervision, especially in consumers with underlying heart conditions.
The DG said that sibutramine is a medicine prescribed for weight loss, and has been banned in Singapore since 2010 due to increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Other adverse effects include fast heart rate, hallucinations or hearing voices, which she said had been reported by consumers who took slimming products adulterated with sibutramine.
She stated that Tadalafil is a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction that should only be given under medical supervision.
Adeyeye informed that inappropriate use of tadalafil is dangerous and could increase the risk of serious adverse effects, including heart attack, stroke, headache, migraine, irregular heart rate and priapism (painful and exceedingly long erections).
“Tadalafil can also pose serious risks to certain individuals, including those with heart-related problems. It can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure in those who are on heart medications, especially those containing nitrates,” she added.
Adeyeye further warned the public to be cautious with the substances, as they are dangerous to health.
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