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The Department of Health (DH) today (May 31) appealed to members of the public not to buy or consume an oral product named "Xiang Gang Tian Long Sheng Wu Ke Ji Di Qi Dai Chi Jiu Zhan Shen", as it may contain an undeclared Western drug ingredient that might be dangerous to health.
The appeal followed the DH's receipt of notification of a case from the Hospital Authority (HA) involving a 58-year-old male patient. The DH commenced investigation immediately.
A DH spokesman said, "The patient was sent to the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital for treatment on May 24 because of confusion. He was diagnosed after admission as having stroke. His family member subsequently found that he might have taken the above oral product, and sildenafil metabolites were detected in his urine sample. He is currently in stable condition."
The spokesman added, "The HA's laboratory test result on the product sample showed the presence of the undeclared Western medicine sildenafil. Preliminary investigation revealed that the product is not a registered proprietary Chinese medicine in Hong Kong. The exact source where the patient obtained the product has yet to be ascertained. The DH's investigation is continuing."
The spokesman explained, "Products containing sildenafil are prescription drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and should only be supplied at pharmacies under the supervision of a registered pharmacist and upon the production of a doctor's prescription. The side effects of sildenafil include low blood pressure, headache, vomiting, dizziness and transient vision disturbances. It may interact with some drugs (such as nitroglycerin for treatment of angina) and cause a decrease in blood pressure to dangerous levels. Improper use of sildenafil may pose serious health risks, especially for patients with heart problems."
The spokesman urged members of the public who have purchased the above product to stop using it immediately. In addition, they are advised not to buy or consume products of unknown composition or from doubtful sources. People who are feeling unwell or in doubt after using the product should consult health-care professionals. They can submit the product to the Chinese Medicine Division of the DH at 16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, during office hours for disposal.
Ends/Friday, May 31, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:49
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