Reactions 1041 - 5 Mar 2005

NZ’s Medsafe recalls adulteratedherbal medicines

New Zealand’s Medsafe is recalling three HerbsHealth herbal medicines that have been found to containundeclared furosemide ≈ 4 mg/capsule and piroxicam≈ 11 mg/capsule [Joint Plus capsules, S.E.N Pluscapsules] or betamethasone ≈ 1.6 mg/capsule[Multistress capsules]. Consumers have been advised toimmediately discontinue use of Joint Plus and S.E.NPlus. However, Dr Karen Poutasi, the New Zealand (NZ)Director-General of Health, warns Multistress users notto suddenly stop using the product, and to consult adoctor. Dr Poutasi also advises Multistress users toinform their surgeon and anaesthetist if they are about toundergo surgery. The NZ Ministry of Health has adviseddoctors about how to wean their patients offMultistress, as there are risks associated with suddencessation of prolonged corticosteroid use in somepatients.Medsafe. Herbal, traditional and complementary medicines: Director-General’sprivileged statement under section 98 of The Medicines Act 1981. InternetDocument : [4 pages], 1 Mar 2005. Available from: URL: http://www.medsafe.govt.nz 800967764

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Reactions 5 Mar 2005 No. 10410114-9954/10/1041-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved