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The Department of Health (DH) today (August 26) appealed to people not to buy or use a product labelled as "Lu Quan" which was found to contain an undeclared drug known to link with serious side effects.
A department spokesman said a 73-year-old man was admitted to Kwong Wah Hospital on August 13 after being found unconscious. His blood glucose level was very low on admission. He had recovered and was discharged on August 19.
Investigation revealed that he had a history of taking the product (a kind of red/yellow capsule) purchased in Shenzhen. The urine of the patient was found to have contained glibenclamide (a diabetic drug) and sildenafil (a drug used for treating male sexual dysfunction).
Laboratory tests today on the remaining product provided by the patient showed the presence of the two drug ingredients.
The spokesman said glibenclamide could cause nausea and gastro-intestinal upset. Improper use may cause a significant fall in blood sugar level with serious health consequence and even death.
The side effects of sildenafil include low blood pressure, headache, vomiting, dizziness, andtransient vision disturbances. It may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin for treatment of angina) and may lower blood pressure of patients to dangerous levels. Improper use of sildenafil may pose serious health risks, especially for patients with heart problems.
Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance of Hong Kong, products containing either sildenafil or glibenclamide must be registered before sale and can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and under supervision of a pharmacist.
People who have bought the product are advised not to take it. They are urged to seek advice from their doctors if feeling unwell after consuming the product.
They should destroy and dispose of the products or submit them to the Department's Pharmaceutical Service at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon, during office hours.
"People who have problems of sexual dysfunction should consult medical professionals for appropriate advice or medication," the spokesman said.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200808/26/P200808260180.htm