SINGAPORE, Mat 14 ― The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) warned consumers today against the purchase and consumption of two illegal health products after one person was admitted to a hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for post-surgery complications, while another developed purplish bruises and high blood pressure among other symptoms.

The health products which were obtained from Malaysia are: Ausbee Australia Ausbee Herbal Powder Capsules and Shen Loon She Edoly Capsule.

According to a HSA press release, a female consumer in her 70s has been consuming the Ausbee Australia Ausbee Herbal Powder Capsule product for about two years to relieve her back pain and for general well-being.

The woman was admitted to ICU after undergoing a surgery due to a fracture and suffered complications from an adrenal crisis which caused a severe drop in her blood pressure.

Adrenal crisis is a serious and potentially life-threatening side effect of long-term steroid use, where the body does not product enough amounts of steroid hormones. This results in severe weakness, muscle and joint pain, low blood pressure, fits or shock.

The woman’s condition was subsequently traced to the long-term consumption of dexamethasone – a potent steroid – present in the product.

Apart from the steroid, the product is adulterated with antibiotics, a painkiller and an anti-allergy drug which can cause serious adverse reactions and drug interactions, the HSA noted.

A second incident saw a man in his 60s developing the Cushing’s syndrome ― a condition caused by long-term consumption of steroids ― after taking the Shen Loon She Edoly Capsule product to relieve his joint pain.

He had skin thinning, large purplish bruises on the skin, high blood pressure and elevated blood glucose level.

The man is currently being treated for the condition.

The HSA’s tests on the products found that they contained "potent western medicinal ingredients which are prohibited”.

As both products contain a potent steroid, the HSA also urged consumers who have taken the product to see a doctor as soon as possible.

The authority also warned consumers to be careful when purchasing health products that promise quick and miraculous results for chronic conditions.

"Discontinuation of steroids without proper medical supervision can cause serious withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, confusion and low blood pressure, especially when the product has been taken for more than a few weeks,” the HSA added.

It also said that seller and suppliers must stop selling the two products immediately.

The authority noted that they are "illegal products which contained undeclared prohibited western medicinal ingredients”.

Any individual who supplies illegal health products is liable to prosecution. If convicted, one may be jailed up to three years and/or fined up to S$100,000 (RM296,246), said the HSA. ― TODAY