Archived – Bao Ling

Starting date:

October 14, 2009

Posting date:

October 14, 2009

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-12000928

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.

Source of alert

Singapore Health Sciences Authority (HSA)

Product names

Bao Ling

Manufacturer / Place of origin

Unknown.

Product description

Bao Ling is promoted as a traditional medicine and comes packaged in capsule format. While its use, or indication, is unknown, the HSA advisory indicates the product was being used by a consumer to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Reason for warning

The HSA advised consumers not to buy or use Bao Ling after it was found to contain undeclared betamethasone, hydrochlorothiazide and chlorpheniramine.

Betamethasone is a steroidal prescription drug used to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and allergic reactions. It should only be taken under the supervision of a health care practitioner.

Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic (water pill) prescription drug used to remove excess fluid from the body. It should only be taken under the supervision of a health care practitioner. Chlorpheniramine is an over-the-counter antihistamine drug used to treat allergy symptoms.

Possible side effects

Side-effects associated with betamethasone include irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, stomach ulcer, blood disorders, skin, muscle and bone damage, and nervous system disorders.

Side effects associated with hydrochlorothiazide include muscle cramps, dizziness, low blood pressure, headache and nausea. Side-effects associated with chlorpheniramine include but are not limited to drowsiness, dizziness, confusion and blurred vision.

What you should do

Canadians who have this product are advised not to use it, and should consult with a health care professional if they have concerns about their health related to the use of this product.

Health Canada advises Canadians to contact the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate at 1-800-267-9675 if they find the product listed above in the Canadian marketplace.

Background

Drugs and natural health products that are authorized for sale in Canada will have either 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 the date of this posting, no adverse reactions suspected to be associated with the use of this product have been reported in Canada.

Report a health or safety concern

• 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

Media enquiries

Health Canada
613-957-2983

Public enquiries

613-957-2991
1-866-225-0709