Archived – Gu Ci Dan and Xu Log Bou

Starting date:

October 1, 2007

Posting date:

October 1, 2007

Type of communication:

Foreign Product Alert (FPA)

Subcategory:

Natural health products

Source of recall:

Health Canada

Issue:

Undeclared Substance, Unauthorized products, Product Safety

Audience:

General Public

Identification number:

RA-12000242

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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

Hong Kong Department of Health

Product name

Gu Ci Dan and Xu Log Bou

Manufacturer / Place of origin

Hong Kong Chi Chun Tang Herbal Factory / Hong Kong

Product description

Gu Ci Dan is a health product promoted to treat rheumatism, arthralgia, sciatica, headache and pain in the shoulder, back, waist, lumbar vertebrae and ischium.

Xu Log Bou is a health product promoted to treat back, hand and shoulder pain, sore limbs and muscle ache.

Reason for warning

The Hong Kong Department of Health recalled Gu Ci Dan and Xu Log Bou because certain batches were found to contain undeclared indomethacin.

Indomethacin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug authorized for sale in Canada by prescription only. It is used for the relief of arthritis pain and other conditions associated with inflammation, and should only be taken under the guidance of a health professional.

Possible side effects

Indomethacin interacts with various drugs, and should not be used with other NSAIDs. It should not be taken by patients with gastrointestinal ulcers or bleeding, or with liver or kidney problems. Indomethacin may cause serious adverse events including gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney failure and reduced blood clotting ability. Other possible adverse reactions include vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, visual disturbance, blood disorders and depression.

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

Images

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