The Department of Health (DH) today (July 15) called on people not to buy or use a brand of proprietary Chinese medicine "苦樂康膠囊" which contained Western drug ingredients, rosiglitazone and phenformin, and may cause side effects.
Rosiglitazone is used for the management of diabetes and should be used only under medical supervision. Its side-effects include headache and lower limb swelling.
Products containing this drug ingredient are Third Schedule poisons under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance and can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and supervision by a pharmacist.
Phenformin was used previously for the management of diabetes. It was associated with a serious side-effect of lactic acidosis (buildup of lactic acid in the blood) which could be fatal. It was banned in Hong Kong in 1985.
The appeal followed an investigation into a case involving a 73-year-old lady who was admitted to St Paul's Hospital on June 28 with lower limb swelling. She has now recovered.
She revealed a history of taking the product for diabetes for two months and the product was obtained from the Mainland. It was also suspected that her symptom was caused by the product.
People who have been using "苦樂康膠囊" are advised to immediately stop taking it and to seek medical attention.
They should dispose of the product or submit the product to the DH?s Pharmaceutical Service at the third floor, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours.
People with diabetes should consult medical professionals for appropriate advice or medication if necessary.
The department has set up a telephone hotline,2319 2839, during office hours for answering health enquiries from the public.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200507/15/07150198.htm