*Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, cautions consumers against ‘implicated potent medicinal ingredients’ are not allowed in affected products, for severe side effects on their well-being

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

In line with its consumer education and sensitisation mandate, the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerian consumers against the use of four products containing potent medicinal ingredients, steroids and other banned substances.

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, stated the warning in a public alert issued Sunday, September 24, 2023, in Abuja, FCT.

Adeyeye said that the agency was notified of the product in a statement by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) of Singapore.

The Director-General of the health regulatory agency said that the implicated potent medicinal ingredients are not allowed in the affected products and may cause severe side effects on consumers.

According to her, the Singaporean HSA confirmed that four consumers experienced adverse effects after taking three of the said products.

Adeyeye also disclosed that the laboratory analysis conducted by HSA on the products showed they contain potent medicinal ingredients, including steroids.

The affected products also contain sibutramine (a banned weight loss medicine) and tadalafil (an erectile dysfunction medicine), stated she.

The agency noted further details of the products as provided by HSA are as follows: Potent medicinal ingredients

Adeyeye stated that the source of the products as: 鈥楨NRU PLUS+鈥橲ibutramine (banned substance), Local e-commerce and social media platforms 鈥楬KT HERBA KURUS TRADISI鈥�

Possible adverse effects of potent ingredients found in the products are: Dexamethasone and Prednisolone.

She said that dexamethasone and prednisolone are potent steroids that are usually prescribed for inflammatory conditions and could only be used under strict medical supervision.

Adeyeye said that long-term unsupervised use of steroids can cause increased blood glucose levels, which she said my lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, cataracts, muscular and bone disorders.

The Director-General further indicated that steroids could also cause an increased risk of infections and cushing鈥檚 syndrome (a round or 鈥榤oon face鈥� appearance and upper body obesity with thin limbs).

She said discontinuation of steroids without proper medical supervision could cause serious withdrawal symptoms, such as fatigue, confusion and low blood pressure.

She also described Diclofenac in the products as a potent painkiller that may potentially cause serious gastric bleeding, as well as cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and stroke when used for a prolonged period.

Diclofenac should be used under close medical supervision, especially in consumers with underlying heart conditions, she noted.

The agency said that Sibutramine is a medicine prescribed for weight loss, and has been banned in Singapore since 2010 because of an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Other serious adverse effects, including fast heart rate, hallucinations or hearing voices had also been reported by consumers who took slimming products adulterated with sibutramine, stated Adeyeye.

Besides, she said Tadalafil is a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction that should only be given under medical supervision.

Inappropriate use of Tadalafil is dangerous and can increase the risk of serious adverse effects, including heart attack, stroke, headache, migraine, irregular heart rate and priapism (painful and exceedingly long erections).

鈥淭adalafil can also pose serious risks to certain individuals, including those with heart-related problems. It can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure in those who are on heart medications, especially those containing nitrates,鈥� she said.

The Director-General of the agency warned the public to be cautious against all these substances.

They are all dangerous to consumers’ health, she stated.

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