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Health Canada issues alerts for unauthorized arthritis, joint treatments

Last Updated: Monday, October 1, 2007 | 11:34 AM ET

CBC News

Health Canada is warning consumers not to take certain unauthorized arthritis and joint medications because they may cause serious side effects including muscle damage, seizures and hallucinations.

The federal agency has issued alerts for Asam Urat Flu Tulang, PJ Dewandaru and Khun-Phra.

Health Canada is warning consumers that Khun-Phra, marketed as a treatment for arthritis and joint pain, may cause serious side effects including rashes, dizziness and depression.
(Health Canada)

Asam Urat Flu Tulang, PJ Dewandaru, manufactured in Indonesia, is marketed as a treatment for joint pain, rheumatism and arthritis. The product has been found to contain undeclared drugs that could cause serious side effects including irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, increased cholesterol, blood disorders, muscle damage, seizures and hallucinations.

Khun-Phra, which also contains undeclared drugs, may cause similar side effects as well as dizziness, jaundice, depression, anemia, liver damage, rashes and hives.

No adverse reactions have been reported in Canada.

The products are not authorized for sale in Canada but might have been brought into the country by travellers or purchased through online retailers.
Consumers should not use these products and should consult a health-care professional with any concerns.

This story is now closed to commenting.

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Health Canada alert: Asam Urat Flu Tulang, PJ Dewandaru
Health Canada alert: Khun-Phra

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