A company called Buy-Herbal.com is voluntarily recalling its product, Nhan Sam Tuyet Lien Truy Phong Hoan capsules. The FDA found that the capsules were contaminated with three drugs: furosemide (a diuretic), dexamethasone (a corticosteroid) and chlorpheniramine (an antihistamine).
Supplement Tainted with Diuretic, Steroid, and Antihistamine Drugs
Marketed as an herbal supplement, Buy-Herbal.com’s Nhan Sam Tuyet Lien Truy Phong Hoan capsules were promoted to help reduce muscle and joint pain associated with conditions like arthritis and gout. Unfortunately, these capsules contained much more than just herbs.
Furosemide is a prescription diuretic used to treat fluid buildup associated with conditions such as congestive heart failure, liver failure or kidney problems. These types of drugs work by increasing urination to flush out excess water in your body. One of the main side effects of any diuretic is dehydration, but furosemide is considered to be particularly potent, and contains a warning label regarding the potential for severe dehydration. It can also cause hearing impairment, gastrointestinal problems and more.
Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that doctors prescribe to treat inflammation associated with various conditions, including multiple sclerosis, allergies, COVID-19 and more. The drug can suppress your immune system, making you more vulnerable to infections. Less commonly, it can also cause insomnia, electrolyte imbalances (which could be worsened by the diuretic furosemide), nausea, weight gain, agitation, depression and more.
Lastly, chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine found in many over-the-counter allergy medications. It can make you drowsy or dizzy, and cause dry mouth, nausea, headaches, or blurred vision.
All three of these undisclosed drugs can interact with other medications you may be taking.
If you’ve taken this supplement—or any other supplement or medication—and you’ve developed new symptoms you suspect could be side effects, you can report your experience to FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program. The easiest way to do so is online at this website, though you can also submit a report via regular mail or fax. The FDA regularly monitors this database to look for trends in reported symptoms that may trigger deeper investigations into particular drugs and supplements.
How to Find Safe Supplements
One way to lower your risk of unknowingly consuming contaminated supplements is checking the label for a seal demonstrating that the supplement has been tested by a third party. Groups like the National Science Foundation (NSF) or the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) test supplements to confirm that they contain the products listed on the label and are free from unsafe levels of contaminants.
While helpful for ingredient purity, these tests do not prove that a supplement is effective in improving any symptoms or quality of life. Always be sure to discuss any supplements you take with your healthcare provider to ensure they are right for you and won’t interfere with any other treatments you may be using.
If buying supplements online, it’s also very important to consider the quality and validity of the site you are purchasing from.
