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Shedding Light on the Risks
& Benefits of Medications
Shedding Light on the Risks
& Benefits of Medications UMARY Hyaluronic Acid Supplement Recalled for Contamination
Copyright (c) 2023 shurkin_son/Shutterstock
The popular supplement sold online via Amazon was found to contain drugs meant to treat pain and acid reflux.
November 25, 2024
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A company called MXBBB is voluntarily recalling one lot (or batch) of its product, UMARY hyaluronic acid tablets, sold on Amazon. The lot was contaminated with two drugs: dicloflenac (a prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkiller) and omeprazole (a proton pump inhibitor to prevent acid reflux).
The universal product code (UPC) of the contaminated supplements is 7502265120323.
The Lot number is 24183 and the expiration date is 07/01/28.
Supplement Tainted with NSAID and Acid Reflux Drugs
Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) similar to ibuprofen. In the U.S., oral tablets require a prescription, but topical creams containing the ingredient are available over-the-counter (OTC). While diclofenac works similarly to other NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, researchers have found that it may raise the risk of cardiovascular problems.
To limit the risk of side effects, NSAIDs should be used sparingly and in the short term. However, unknowingly taking a daily supplement that contains a hidden NSAID can lead to overuse, especially if you also take another NSAID separately. Taking NSAIDs too frequently or in high doses can damage your digestive system.
Omeprazole is the generic form of a common OTC medication, Prilosec. If you take it daily over a longer period of time, you may have rebound symptoms of acid reflux when you try to stop taking it. The drug could also mask existing issues, so you might not notice symptoms of acid reflux, ulcers, or even stomach cancer. Omeprazole can make it harder for your body to absorb vitamins, such as vitamin B12, which is important for building DNA. A B12 deficiency can cause anemia and neurological symptoms, such as problems with balance and memory.
Lastly, both diclofenac and omeprazole can interact with other medications you may be taking, rendering them less effective or even making them more potent.
Some medications that interact with diclofenac include:
- Voriconazole
- Aspirin
- ACE Inhibitors
- Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
- Beta-Blockers
- Diuretics
- Digoxin
- Lithium
- Methotrexate
- Cyclosporin
- NSAIDs and Salicylates
- Pemetrexed
Some medications that interact with omeprazole include:
- Atazanavir and nelfinavir
- Saquinavir
- Digoxin
- Clopidogrel
- Cilostazol
- Diazepam
- Warfarin
- Phenytoin
- Cyclosporine
- Disulfiram
- Benzodiazepines
- Tacrolimus
- Methotrexate
How to Choose Safe Hyaluronic Acid Supplements
One way to reduce your risk of contaminated supplements is to check the label for a certification 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 the 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 be sure that they are right for you and that they won’t interfere with any other treatments you may be using.
Want to Share Your Story?
If you’ve experienced side effects or medication issues related to this topic, we want to hear from you.
Submit Your Story- United States Food and Drug Administration (2024, November 24). Mxbbb Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Umary Acid Hyaluronic Due to the Presence of Diclofenac and Omeprazole. FDA.gov. Retrieved November 25, 2024, from https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mxbbb-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-umary-acid-hyaluronic-due-presence-diclofenac-and?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
- Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation (n.d.). Novartis.VOLTAREN® (diclofenac sodium enteric-coated tablets) Tablets 75 mg Rx. Retrieved November 25, 2024, from https://www.fda.gov/drugsatfda
- Schmidt, M. (2018). Diclofenac use and cardiovascular risks: Series of nationwide cohort studies. BMJ 2018;362:K3426. https://doi.org/ https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k3426
- Sohail R, Mathew M, Patel KK, Reddy SA, Haider Z, Naria M, Habib A, Abdin ZU, Razzaq Chaudhry W, Akbar A. Effects of Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and Gastroprotective NSAIDs on the Gastrointestinal Tract: A Narrative Review. Cureus. 2023 Apr 3;15(4):e37080. doi: 10.7759/cureus.37080. PMID: 37153279; PMCID: PMC10156439.
- Namikawa, K., & Björnsson, E. S. (2024). Rebound Acid Hypersecretion after Withdrawal of Long-Term Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) Treatment-Are PPIs Addictive?. International journal of molecular sciences, 25(10), 5459. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105459
- Mumtaz, H., Ghafoor, B., Saghir, H., Tariq, M., Dahar, K., Ali, S. H., Waheed, S. T., & Syed, A. A. (2022). Association of Vitamin B12 deficiency with long-term PPIs use: A cohort study. Annals of medicine and surgery (2012), 82, 104762. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104762
- Ankar A, Kumar A. Vitamin B12 Deficiency. [Updated 2024 Sep 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441923/
- Voltaren (diclofenac sodium enteric-coated tablets)[package insert]. U.S. Food and Drug Administration website. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/019201s048lbl.pdf. Revised [04/2021]. Accessed [11/25/2024].
- Prilosec (omeprazole)[package insert]. U.S. Food and Drug Administration website. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/019810s096lbl.pdf . Revised [09/2012]. Accessed [11/25/2024].
- National Science Foundation (n.d.). Supplement and Vitamin Certification. Https://www.nsf.org/Consumer-Resources/Articles/Supplement-Vitamin-Certification. Retrieved November 25, 2024, from https://www.nsf.org/consumer-resources/articles/supplement-vitamin-certification
- U.S. Phamacopeia (n.d.). U.S. Pharmacopeia. Usp.org. Retrieved November 25, 2024, from usp.org
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