• HSA Detected 2 Traditional Products Adulterated with "Poisons"
• US FDA Advisory about Propylthiouracil (PTU)

• HSA Detected 2 Traditional Products Adulterated with "Poisons"
“DELIMA RAJA URAT” AND “CAO GEN BAI LIN WAN”[ 草根百龄丸] have been detected to contain undeclared potent substances.
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) warns members of the public not to take two illegal health products detected to contain potent western medicinal substances. The first product is packaged as a Malay Jamu medicine labelled “Delima Raja Urat”
and the second product is presented as a Chinese medicine labelled “Cao Gen Bai Lin Wan"

http://www.hsa.gov.sg/publish/etc/medialib/hsa_library/corporate/pr20072009.Par.1855.File.tmp/HSAPressRelease_TwoIllegalPdtsDetectedToContainUndeclaredPotentSubstances.pdf

• Propylthiouracil (PTU)
FDA notified healthcare professionals of the risk of serious liver injury, including liver failure and death, with the use of propylthiouracil (PTU) in adult and pediatric patients. Reports to FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) suggest there is an increased risk of hepatotoxicity with PTU when compared to methimazole (MMI). FDA has identified 32 (AERS) cases (22 adult and 10 pediatric) of serious liver injury associated with PTU use. Although both PTU and MMI are indicated for the treatment of hyperthyroidism due to Graves’ disease, healthcare professionals should carefully consider which drug to initiate in a patient recently diagnosed with Graves’ disease. Physicians should closely monitor patients on PTU therapy for symptoms and signs of liver injury, especially during the first six months after initiation of therapy. PTU should not be used in pediatric patients unless the patient is allergic to or intolerant of MMI, and there are no other treatment options available.
[06/03/2009 - Healthcare Professional Sheet - FDA]

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